Global Diplomatic Shift: Multiple Nations Recognize Palestinian Statehood

The 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Week is currently underway at the UN Headquarters in New York City, running from September 22 to 30, 2025. This session marks the 80th anniversary of the UN's establishment and is themed "Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development, and human rights," emphasizing a renewed commitment to multilateralism and global cooperation.

A significant development during this session is the formal recognition of the State of Palestine by several countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Portugal, France, and Belgium. This wave of recognition reflects a notable shift in international diplomacy concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

On September 21, 2025, the UK, Canada, and Australia announced their formal recognition of the State of Palestine. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the decision was made to preserve the future possibility of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Similarly, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized their commitment to a peaceful resolution in the region. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed these recognitions, viewing them as steps toward peaceful coexistence with Israel. In contrast, Israel's Foreign Ministry rejected the recognitions, labeling them as politically motivated gestures aimed at domestic electorates.

Following these announcements, Portugal's Foreign Affairs Minister Paulo Rangel declared on September 21 that Portugal officially recognizes the State of Palestine. Rangel emphasized that this recognition aligns with Portugal's longstanding foreign policy principles and reiterated the country's support for a two-state solution as the only path to a just and durable peace.

On September 22, French President Emmanuel Macron announced France's recognition of the State of Palestine during a speech at the UN General Assembly. Macron emphasized France's commitment to a two-state solution and framed the recognition as a move to help preserve the viability of peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever also declared Belgium's recognition of Palestine, stating that it will become legally effective once all hostages are released and Hamas is no longer in control in Gaza.

These recognitions are part of a broader diplomatic initiative led by France and Saudi Arabia, resulting in about a dozen countries recognizing Palestinian statehood. This coordinated effort underscores a significant international shift toward supporting Palestinian statehood as a path to achieving long-term regional peace.

The United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week serves as a pivotal platform for member states to address pressing global issues, including peace and security, sustainable development goals, climate change, and human rights. The recent recognitions of Palestinian statehood highlight the dynamic geopolitical landscape and the international community's evolving approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

As the session continues, the international community remains attentive to the implications of these recognitions and their potential impact on the broader Middle East peace process. The collective actions of these nations signal a renewed commitment to multilateralism and the pursuit of a comprehensive and lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.