Britain and Portugal are poised to officially recognize a Palestinian state on Sunday, coinciding with a pivotal week at the United Nations where numerous nations are expected to follow suit in a bid to pressure Israel regarding the ongoing situation in Gaza.
In recent months, a notable shift has occurred among longtime Israeli allies as Israel escalates its military offensive in Gaza, a response to Hamas’s unprecedented attack on October 7, 2023.
The Palestinian territory has endured extensive destruction, loss of life, and severe food shortages, leading to a significant humanitarian crisis.
This week, world leaders will convene at the UN General Assembly in New York, where the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will be a focal point of discussion.
Approximately ten nations are anticipated to recognize a Palestinian state in the coming days. UK media outlets, including the BBC, report that Prime Minister Keir Starmer will announce this policy shift on Sunday, despite strong objections from Israel.
In July, Starmer indicated that the UK would formally recognize Palestine if Israel did not take “substantive steps” towards a ceasefire with Hamas by the time the UN General Assembly convened. He emphasized that this recognition would contribute to a meaningful peace process at a critical moment for the two-state solution.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by accusing Starmer of rewarding “monstrous terrorism” and appeasing “jihadist” ideologies.
Portugal’s foreign ministry confirmed on Friday that it would also formally recognize Palestine on Sunday, citing the “extremely worrying evolution of the conflict” and the humanitarian crisis as key factors in its decision.
As Israel continues its bombardment of Gaza, a UN-backed hunger monitor has reported famine conditions in parts of the territory. The Israeli military has stated it will employ “unprecedented force” to capture Gaza City.
Other Western nations, including France and Canada, are also planning to recognize a Palestinian state during the UN gathering this week. Israel has vehemently opposed these initiatives and has reportedly threatened to annex the West Bank in retaliation.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the international community not to be deterred by potential retaliation from Israel.
The conflict escalated after Hamas’s attack on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 individuals, predominantly civilians, according to official figures. In retaliation, Israel’s military campaign has claimed at least 65,208 lives, also primarily civilians, based on data from the Gazan health ministry deemed reliable by the United Nations.
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