New York/Tel Aviv [US/Israel], September 21 (ANI): In a coordinated and historic move, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom on Sunday formally recognised the State of Palestine, calling the decision a step toward reviving the two-state solution. The announcement drew strong condemnation from Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denouncing the recognition as “absurd” and “a reward for terrorism.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared that his government “formally recognises the independent and sovereign State of Palestine,” stressing the “legitimate and long-held aspirations of the people of Palestine to a state of their own.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney echoed this, stating, “Since 1947, it has been the policy of every Canadian government to support a two-state solution… This envisioned the creation of a sovereign, democratic, and viable State of Palestine building its future in peace and security alongside the State of Israel.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the decision was intended “to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a two-state solution,” while making clear it was “not a reward for Hamas.” His office emphasised that recognition was consistent with the UK’s manifesto commitments and rooted in the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the coordinated recognition, calling it “a protection of the two-state solution aimed at achieving peace” and praising the move as “courageous” and aligned with international law.
But the decision provoked outrage in Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu, through spokesperson Shosh Badrosian, told reporters that Israel would not “commit suicide because of Europe’s political needs,” accusing Western governments of ignoring “the chaos Hamas has thrusted Gaza into” and the plight of Israeli hostages still in captivity. He confirmed he would travel to New York for the UN General Assembly to press Israel’s case.
Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir went further, branding the recognition “a reward for murderers” and vowing to push for the immediate application of Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, coupled with what he called the “complete crushing” of the Palestinian Authority.
Meanwhile, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum condemned the Western recognition, accusing the three governments of turning a blind eye to “the fact that 48 hostages remain in Hamas captivity.” The forum urged that any discussion of Palestinian statehood be made contingent on the hostages’ release, calling it “a moral and humanitarian imperative.”
Israeli opposition figure Yair Golan also criticised the move, describing it as “destructive” and “extremely damaging” to Israel, particularly on the eve of the UN summit where additional countries are expected to follow suit.
The decision by Australia, Canada, and the UK marks the most significant wave of Western recognition of Palestine in decades, adding new urgency to debates over the future of the conflict even as fighting, settlement building, and hostage crises threaten to derail hopes for peace. (ANI)
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