Canada, UK, and Australia formally recognise Palestine in coordinated move

Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia have formally recognised the State of Palestine in a coordinated policy shift aimed at salvaging the long-elusive two-state solution and restoring hope for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. The announcements came in rapid succession on 21 September, 2025, with all three governments framing the move as a necessary response to the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, the growing obstruction of Palestinian sovereignty, and the international community’s diminishing influence over the peace process.

Canada becomes first G7 state to recognise Palestine

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney led the sequence, declaring: “Canada recognises the State of Palestine and offers our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel.” Carney criticised both Hamas and the current Israeli government for undermining the prospects of a peaceful solution. He cited “the heinous terrorist attack of October 7, 2023” by Hamas, the group’s ongoing rejection of Israel’s right to exist, and Israel’s expanding settlement activity and alleged violations of international law in Gaza and the West Bank. “The current Israeli government is working methodically to prevent the prospect of a Palestinian state from ever being established,” Carney stated. He further accused Israel of causing a “devastating and preventable famine” in Gaza. At the same time, he emphasised that recognition of Palestine “in no way legitimises terrorism” and that Canada’s support for Israel’s security remains unchanged. He noted that the Palestinian Authority had made direct commitments to democratic reform, holding general elections in 2026, and ensuring Hamas has no role in governance or security.  

Australia affirms coordinated effort with allies

Australia followed with a joint statement from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong, confirming its recognition of Palestine and declaring it part of “a co-ordinated international effort” alongside Canada and the UK. The statement described the recognition as a reflection of Australia’s “longstanding commitment to a two-state solution” and said it must begin with a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages. The Australian government said it had received direct commitments from the Palestinian Authority, including a renewed recognition of Israel’s right to exist and pledges to hold democratic elections, reform governance, and exclude Hamas from any future role. “Hamas must have no role in Palestine,” the joint statement read. It added that the international community is actively developing a peace plan to rebuild Gaza and secure both Israeli and Palestinian futures. Diplomatic relations and embassy openings will be considered as the Palestinian Authority progresses on reforms, it added.  

UK joins recognition, urges hostages’ release and ceasefire

Shortly after Canada and Australia’s statement, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the United Kingdom was also formally recognising the State of Palestine. “Today, to revive the hope of peace and a two-state solution, I state clearly — as Prime Minister of this great country — that the United Kingdom formally recognises the state of Palestine,” Starmer said. He denounced the “manmade crisis” in Gaza, citing the deaths of tens of thousands and Israel’s alleged restriction of humanitarian aid. “We call on the Israeli government to stop these cruel tactics and let the aid surge in,” he said. Starmer also called for the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas and made clear that the recognition is “not a reward for Hamas,” which he said must have “no role in government or security.” The Prime Minister said the decision was about enabling a viable Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel, and affirmed that more than 150 countries had now recognised Palestine. <

Israel condemns recognition as reward for terror

Israel reacted sharply to the coordinated announcements. The Israeli foreign ministry released a statement accusing the recognising states of emboldening Hamas. “This recognition is nothing but a reward for jihadist Hamas — emboldened by its Muslim Brotherhood affiliated in the UK,” the statement read. It claimed that “Hamas leaders themselves openly admit: this recognition is a direct outcome, the 'fruit' of the 7 October massacre.” Israel strongly rejected the assertion that its actions in Gaza constituted genocide, following a recent report by a United Nations commission of inquiry that found reasonable grounds to believe that Israel had committed four of five acts of genocide defined under international law. The report cited the scale of destruction, leadership statements, and ongoing blockade of Gaza as evidence of genocidal intent. Israel called the report “distorted and false.” According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 65,283 Palestinians have been killed since the Israeli military campaign began in October 2023.

New momentum for the two-state solution?

The joint recognition by Canada, the UK, and Australia represents one of the most significant shifts in Western diplomacy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in decades. While recognition is largely symbolic at this stage, it signals growing international frustration with the stagnation of the peace process, the humanitarian toll in Gaza, and the lack of political will from the Israeli government to allow a Palestinian state to emerge. The three governments framed their decisions as support for Palestinian self-determination and a rejection of both Hamas’s extremism and Israel’s expansionist policies. Diplomatic observers now await whether other G7 and EU states will follow suit, potentially creating new pressure for substantive negotiations.