By Njodzeka Kernyuy
Four Western countries—the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Portugal—have recognized the State of Palestine amid Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas that has killed tens of thousands in Gaza since 2023.
The move to recognise Palestine, according to British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, is “to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a two-state solution”.
A similar message was also echoed by Canada, which, in a statement, said, “Since 1947, Canada has supported a two-state solution—Palestine and Israel living side by side in peace and security. Canada recognises the state of Palestine.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada “offers our partnership in building the promise of lasting peace in the Middle East.”
Portugal and Australia also made similar pronouncements, with the Australian PM, Anthony Albanese, stating that “enough is enough” to Israeli excesses and atrocities in the West Bank and Gaza, all occupied Palestinian territories.
More to Follow
France, also a Western nation, is likely to follow in the same move. It all started a few months ago when the French President Emmanuel Macron said his country was going to recognise Palestine.
Then the UK, Canada and others followed and have kept that promise. The leaders of these countries are meeting in New York, USA, for the United Nations General Assembly, where each will be addressing other leaders.
The President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas was denied a visa to attend the UN meeting by the USA.
However, the UN resolved to allow him to address the General Assembly via video link.
With the recognition from Western nations, it could change the dynamics in the Middle East, especially with the ongoing war against Hamas by Israel, which has seen tens of thousands of Palestinians killed.
In Africa, only two countries, Cameroon and Eritrea, have not recognised Palestine.
The move from these Western countries will further amplify the voice of the Palestinian.