Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Portugal Recognize Palestine as an Independent State
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| British Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivering the official recognition of Palestinian sovereignty. (Photo: screenshot from Keir Starmer's X account) |
LANGKATODAY – Four Western countries, namely Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Portugal, officially recognized Palestine as a sovereign state on Sunday (9/21/2025). This move has attracted global attention, especially since Canada is the first G7 member country to announce this stance.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that since 1947, the Canadian government's policy has consistently supported a two-state solution for lasting peace in the Middle East. According to him, recognizing Palestine means supporting the formation of a sovereign, democratic state that coexists with Israel in security.
From Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that the Palestinian people have the right to their own country.
“As of today, September 21, 2025, the Commonwealth of Australia officially recognizes the independent and sovereign State of Palestine,” he wrote on the official website of the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Albanese added that this step is a joint commitment coordinated with Canada and the United Kingdom to maintain long-term peace in the Middle East.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also announced a similar stance via a video post on his X account @KeirStarmer. He considered the recognition of Palestine to be an important part of maintaining hope for a two-state solution.
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized that Israel must immediately stop its attacks on Gaza, open access to humanitarian aid, and halt the construction of illegal settlements in the West Bank.
From Portugal, Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel announced the official recognition of Palestine in New York, just hours after Canada, Britain, and Australia expressed the same stance. The announcement was made ahead of the UN General Assembly, scheduled to open on September 23, 2025.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the move. He called the recognition of Palestine by the UK and other countries a “gift to terrorism.”
“There will be no Palestinian state west of the Jordan River,” Netanyahu said, as quoted by The Jerusalem Post.
To date, 151 out of 193 UN member states—equivalent to 78 percent—have supported Palestinian sovereignty. This widespread support indicates that the two-state solution is still considered the only path to sustainable peace in the Middle East.