The United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada have formally recognized a Palestinian state ahead of the U.N. General Assembly this week. “Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a two state solution, the United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine,” United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. Watch his message below: Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a two state solution, the United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine. pic.twitter.com/yrg6Lywc1s — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) September 21, 2025 ABC News shared: Canada recognized a Palestinian state on Sunday despite opposition from the U.S, with the hope it paves the way for peace based on two states living side by side. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on the social platform X that Canada had recognized a Palestinian state. He had already said in late July he would do so as many Western countries are increasingly fed up with the intensifying war in Gaza. “Today, Canada recognises the State of Palestine,” Carney stated. Today, Canada recognises the State of Palestine. pic.twitter.com/zhumVJRBfe — Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) September 21, 2025 “Effective today, Sunday the 21st of September 2025, the Commonwealth of Australia formally recognises the independent and sovereign State of Palestine,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement. “In doing so, Australia recognises the legitimate and long held aspirations of the people of Palestine to a state of their own,” he added. My statement formally recognising the State of Palestine. pic.twitter.com/LnmrX29TCV — Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) September 21, 2025 Al Jazeera noted: Israel and the United States have repeatedly said recognising Palestinian statehood in the midst of the war in Gaza would be a “reward” for Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that message in his reaction to Sunday’s recognition of Palestine, saying that it was a “prize” for Hamas. He added that a Palestinian state “will not happen”. At the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week, more countries have pledged to recognise Palestine, including France. While recognition of Palestinian statehood is largely symbolic and has little influence on Israeli actions in the occupied territory, it highlights growing international support for Palestine. So far, 147 of the 193 UN member states have recognised Palestinian statehood. But that recognition still does not give Palestine an official seat at the UN, which can only be approved by the Security Council. The US, a permanent member of the Security Council with veto power, has already rejected calls for recognition at this moment.