The United Kingdom and Canada formally recognised the State of Palestine on Sunday, joining more than 140 countries worldwide. The move, announced within hours of each other by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, defied strong objections from the United States and Israel.
Both leaders described recognition as a symbolic but historic step to revive hopes of peace in a region ravaged by nearly two years of war in Gaza and decades of failed negotiations.
Starmer: 'Reviving the hope of peace'
Starmer, whose Labour government had long hinted at the move, said the recognition is meant to keep the two-state solution alive at a time when it risks slipping out of reach.
“From the first day of Navratri, the UK recognises the State of Palestine to revive the hope of peace for Palestinians and Israelis alike,” Starmer said, framing the move as both symbolic and corrective.
The decision carries historical weight: Britain once held administrative control over Palestine following World War I and issued the 1917 Balfour Declaration, which backed a Jewish homeland while promising not to prejudice Palestinian rights — a pledge Palestinians say has been broken for over a century.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy added that the move acknowledges a “historical injustice” and will be taken to the UN General Assembly this week.
Canada follows suit
Just hours later, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney echoed the UK’s move, announcing Canada’s recognition of a Palestinian state and offering “partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future.”
“Recognising the State of Palestine, led by the Palestinian Authority, empowers those who seek peaceful coexistence and the end of Hamas,” Carney said, stressing that it is “no reward for terrorism.”
He revealed that the Palestinian Authority had made direct commitments to Canada:
To hold general elections in 2026.
To exclude Hamas from governance.
To demilitarise the Palestinian state.
“This recognition empowers moderates and gives them a path forward,” Carney added.
US and Israel push back
The timing was striking. The announcements came just days after US President Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK, where he openly voiced disapproval. “I have a disagreement with the prime minister on that score,” Trump said.
Israel, which has shown no interest in a two-state solution under its current government, slammed the recognition as an “empty gesture” that rewards Hamas and terrorism while Palestinians remain divided between Gaza and the West Bank.
Correcting 'wrongs of the past'
Palestinian representatives hailed the decisions as overdue justice. Husam Zomlot, Palestine’s head of mission in the UK, told the BBC the move marks the beginning of 'righting a colonial-era wrong.'
“The issue today is ending the denial of our existence that started in 1917. The British people should celebrate a day when history is being corrected,” Zomlot said.
Why this matters now
The recognition by London and Ottawa signals growing frustration among Western governments that the two-state solution may be slipping away, as Gaza remains devastated and Israel continues expanding settlements in the West Bank.
For decades, both the UK and Canada had argued recognition should only come at the end of a negotiated peace deal. By acting now, they have broken with that position, aligning with much of the world that views recognition as a necessary step to pressure both sides back toward talks.
More countries, including France, are expected to take similar steps during the ongoing UN General Assembly session.
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