G7's UK and Canada recognize Palestine

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the UK's recognition of a Palestinian state on Sunday, becoming the second G7 nation to take the step ahead of this week's 80th United Nations General Assembly session, which starts on Tuesday.

Starmer said: "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 recognizes the state of Palestine."

Canada had earlier on Sunday confirmed it recognized Palestinian statehood, making it the first G7 nation to do so, joining three-quarters of the 193 UN member states that had already granted recognition as of April.

Australia followed, with its Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stating the nation formally recognized the "legitimate and long held aspirations of the people of Palestine to a state of their own".

A similar announcement is expected from G7 nation France during the UN conference. The policy statements mark a significant shift in Western nations' diplomatic stance toward the ongoing Gaza conflict. Portugal would also formally recognize Palestinian statehood on Sunday, its government stated.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposed the diplomatic moves, stating they "reward terror" in reference to the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct 7, 2023.

The UK decision comes ahead of the key UN session in New York, where discussions are set to focus on Palestinian sovereignty following decades of Israeli occupation.

A UN inquiry last week concluded Israel's military campaign in Gaza constitutes genocide, while Israel responded that this claim was "distorted and false". The death toll since Israel's offensive began in October 2023 has reached 65,141, with 165,925 wounded, while thousands more are believed to be buried beneath rubble.

A senior adviser to France's President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that France would be joined by Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta and San Marino in recognizing Palestinian statehood at the UN conference.

Both Israel and the United States have opposed the wave of Palestinian recognition, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissing France's move as a "reckless decision" that "benefits Hamas's propaganda efforts".

US President Donald Trump explicitly disagreed with the move during his state visit last week, speaking alongside Starmer.

Israeli forces have intensified their ground offensive to capture Gaza City ahead of Tuesday's UN meeting, prompting thousands more Palestinians to flee, and despite warnings of famine and international outcry. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper last week described the offensive as "utterly reckless and appalling".

A total of 145 UN member states have voted to allow Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to address this week's UN assembly by video after his US visa denial. Only five countries opposed the measure: Israel, the US, Nauru, Palau and Paraguay, while six abstained.