The U.K., Canada and Australia on Sunday officially recognized a Palestinian state, further isolating the U.S. and Israel diplomatically.
“Today, to revive the hope of peace and a two-state solution, I state clearly as prime minister of this great country that the United Kingdom formally recognizes the state of Palestine,” U.K. leader Keir Starmer said in a video message.
The coordinated move from the three Commonwealth nations comes ahead of the United Nations General Assembly this week in New York. More nations, including France, are expected to recognize a Palestinian state during the global meetings.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was infuriated by Sunday’s announcement, and vowed to prevent a Palestinian state from forming.
“A Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan River,” Netanyahu said. “The international community will hear from us on this matter in the coming days.”
The Israeli leader is scheduled to speak Friday at the General Assembly. During his trip to the U.S., he is also expected to meet with President Trump.
Starmer said earlier this year that the U.K. would recognize a Palestinian state if no cease-fire agreement was reached to halt the ongoing war in Gaza. In the following months, Israel has intensified its offensive and moved troops into Gaza City.
The U.K. has a unique historical role in the region, because Britain and France carved up territory belonging to the former Ottoman Empire following World War I. The U.K. had administrative control of Palestine until Israel was established.
“It’s significant for France and the U.K. to recognize Palestine because of the legacy of these two countries’ involvement in the Middle East,” said Burcu Ozcelik, senior research fellow for Middle East Security at London-based Royal United Services Institute. “But without the United States coming on board with the idea of a Palestine, I think very little will change on the ground.”
With News Wire Services
