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The United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada have formally recognized the State of Palestine in a notable diplomatic shift aimed at reviving the two-state solution.

Getting into it: The United Kingdom was the first among the three to formally declare its recognition, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer stating, “In the face of the growing horror in the Middle East, we are acting to keep alive the possibility of peace and of a two-state solution.” Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized that the recognition reflects “our unwavering commitment to a two-state solution and affirms the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.” The UK government had previously indicated it would move toward recognition if Israel failed to stop its operations in Gaza, commit to a lasting peace process, and allow more humanitarian aid into the enclave.

Starmer added that the move was not a reward for Hamas, which he described as “a brutal terrorist organisation that wants to see Israel destroyed,” arguing instead that recognition serves to isolate Hamas by strengthening the diplomatic track. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy reinforced this position by stating that recognition “will not bring [a Palestinian state] into existence overnight,” but is a necessary step to keep the two-state solution viable.

Canada, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, issued its own recognition shortly before the UK. Carney framed the move as a response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation and the need to give diplomacy a chance: “This in no way legitimises terrorism, nor is it any reward for it,” he said. Instead, the Canadian government stressed that recognition would empower Palestinians who seek peaceful co-existence with Israel and help diminish the influence of extremist factions. Canadian officials also stressed that the recognition was conditional upon the exclusion of Hamas from any future Palestinian governance, aligning with the UK’s position that a peaceful and democratic Palestinian state must be free of terrorist influence.

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed these sentiments, declaring recognition of “the independent and sovereign State of Palestine” and stressing that the decision was grounded in Australia’s commitment to international law and human rights. Albanese insisted that Hamas must “have no role in Palestine,” and said that the recognition is part of a broader international push to reignite diplomatic negotiations, not a unilateral political gesture.

Israel reacts: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the recognitions as a “prize” for Hamas, saying, “I have a clear message to those leaders who recognize a Palestinian state after the horrific massacre of October 7: You are giving a huge reward to terrorism.” He added, “It will not happen. A Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan River.”

Israel’s Foreign Ministry stated on social media that the recognitions “further destabilize the region and undermine the chances of achieving a peaceful solution in the future.” Far-right Israeli ministers escalated their rhetoric, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir proposing that Israel immediately annex the West Bank in response.

The US, while not issuing an official statement, has remained opposed to unilateral recognition. President Donald Trump reiterated during a recent state visit to the UK that this was “one of our few disagreements,” and Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized France’s similar plans as “reckless.”