The United States on Sunday termed the recognition of a Palestinian state by key allies such as Britain, Australia and Canada as “performative”.
It further clarified its stance on the Middle East crisis, citing Israel’s security and the release of hostages as key priorities.
"Our focus remains on serious diplomacy, not performative gestures. Our priorities are clear: the release of the hostages, the security of Israel, and peace and prosperity for the entire region that is only possible free from Hamas," a US state department spokesperson told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also opposed the move, saying: “We will have to fight both in the UN and in all other arenas against the false propaganda directed at us and the calls to establish a Palestinian state, which would endanger our existence and constitute an absurd reward for terrorism.”
Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and Portugal have announced to formally recognise the State of Palestine, days after the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly endorsed a resolution calling for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.
Canada was the first to make the announcement, followed by Australia, UK and Portugal. The move follows through on their previous commitments to grant recognition should Tel Aviv fail to agree to a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict.
France - one of the first Western countries to signal its intention to formally recognise the State of Palestine - is also expected to make a similar announcement during a high-profile conference on the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, scheduled to take place in New York on Monday.
On September 12, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution reviving a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, less than 24 hours after Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there would never be a Palestinian state.
India was among the 142 nations that voted in favour of the resolution titled 'Endorsement of the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution'.
(With agencies inputs)
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