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By Andrew Stanton
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Australia will begin recognizing a Palestinian state in September, following similar moves by the United Kingdom and France last month,Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday.
The United Kingdom could be among the next countries to recognize a Palestinian state, joining dozens around the globe, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said last week.
Why It Matters
The announcement would mark a major shift in the United Kingdom's foreign policy with regard to Israel amid its ongoing conflict with Hamas.
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On October 7, 2023, Hamas led an attack against Israel, killing 1,200 and abducting 251. Israel has said 58 hostages remain in Gaza, and that only 21 of them are believed to be alive. Israel since launched an offensive in Gaza, killing more than 60,000 people, according to The Associated Press, citing Gaza's Health Ministry. Critics have sounded the alarm on Israel's military operation, raising concerns about the number of civilians killed or displaced.
The shift comes amid renewed concerns about the potential starvation of civilians in Gaza, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied.
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What To Know
United Kingdom Prime Minister Kier Starmer announced in July that the U.K. would recognize Palestine unless specific conditions are met by Israel by September.
"I have always said that we will recognize a Palestinian state as a contribution to a proper peace process at the moment of maximum impact for the two-state solution," Starmer said. "I can confirm the U.K. will recognize the State of Palestine by the United Nations General Assembly in September, unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire and commit to a long-term sustainable peace reviving the prospect of a two-state solution."
His announcement comes just days after French President Emmanuel Macron said his country would recognize a Palestinian state in September.
Whether or not there is an independent Palestinian state remains disputed, with countries taking different approaches to the question. Some have recognize a Palestinian state for decades, but others do not do so.
The United States is among those that do not recognize a Palestinian state. Most countries in the Anglosphere, including Canada and Australia, also do not recognize the state.
Most countries in South America, Africa and Asia recognize a Palestinian state, with notable exceptions including South Korea, Myanmar and Cameroon.
Europe is more divided, with some countries, like Ireland and Poland, recognizing a Palestinian state, but others, like Portugal and Italy, do not.
Some countries support a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinian territories, including the West Bank and Gaza, or some form of Palestinian self-determination but do not recognize Palestine as an independent nation.
In total, Palestine is recognized by 147 of the U.N.'s 193 member states. In November 2012, Palestinian delegation status in the United Nations (U.N.) was upgraded to non-member observer as the State of Palestine.
What People Are Saying
French President Emmanuel Macron, on X on July 24: "Consistent with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine. I will make this solemn announcement before the United Nations General Assembly this coming September. The urgent priority today is to end the war in Gaza and to bring relief to the civilian population."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on X on July 24: "A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel—not to live in peace beside it. Let's be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel."
Jill Stein, the Green Party's 2012, 2016 and 2024 presidential candidate, previously told Newsweek: "Of course Palestine deserves statehood, as long declared by the United Nations. But this is not the first order of business as famine-made-in-Israel sweeps the Gaza Strip. Israel is conducting the fastest starvation campaign in modern history, according to the U.N. Rapporteur on Food. Over 2 million lives are in immediate peril, over half of them children."
What Happens Next
Starmer will wait until September to make a formal decision on recognizing a Palestinian state. Meanwhile, Israel continues facing international pressure over its military operations in Gaza, while Hamas has faced calls to return the remaining hostages. There have been recent attempts at peace talks to achieve a lasting ceasefire, but those have stalled.
Update 8/11/25, 1:30 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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