Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal on Sunday formally recognised a Palestinian state, a move driven by frustration over the Gaza war and aimed at reviving the two-state solution.
The decision drew a sharp rebuke from Israel, Reuters reported.
The four Western nations, long seen as Israel’s allies, joined more than 140 countries that support Palestinian aspirations for an independent homeland in the occupied territories.
Britain’s recognition carried symbolic weight, given its pivotal role in the establishment of modern Israel after World War Two.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the step was intended to restore hope for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. He condemned Israel’s intensifying campaign in Gaza, calling the humanitarian crisis “utterly intolerable.”
France and other countries are expected to announce similar recognition at the UN General Assembly in New York this week.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out, saying recognition amounted to “a huge reward to terrorism” in the wake of Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack, which killed 1,200 people and saw more than 250 taken hostage. He vowed no Palestinian state would ever be established west of the Jordan River.
Israel has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to Gaza health authorities, and left much of the enclave in ruins.
Palestinian officials welcomed the recognition.
