UK and Portugal Set to Recognise Palestinian State Ahead of UN Debate

Britain and Portugal are expected to formally recognise a Palestinian state on Sunday, ahead of a crucial week at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where a number of nations plan similar moves to pressure Israel over the situation in Gaza.

The decision reflects a growing shift among long-standing Israeli allies, as Israel has intensified its military offensive in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’s unprecedented attack in 2023.

The small Palestinian territory has since endured widespread destruction, mass casualties, and severe food shortages, leading to a major humanitarian crisis.

This week’s UN General Assembly debate will focus on the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with multiple countries expected to announce recognition of a Palestinian state.

• Approximately 10 nations are expected to recognise Palestine in the coming days.
• UK media, including the BBC, reported that Prime Minister Keir Starmer would announce Britain’s recognition on Sunday.

Starmer had stated in July that Britain would formally recognise the State of Palestine if Israel did not take “substantive steps” towards a ceasefire with Hamas by the time of the UN General Assembly.

He described the move as contributing “to a proper peace process, at the moment of maximum impact for the two-state solution.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sharply criticised the decision, accusing Starmer of rewarding “monstrous terrorism” and appeasing “jihadist” ideology.

Portugal’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday that it would also formally recognise Palestine on Sunday.

• Lisbon had announced its intention in July, citing the “extremely worrying evolution of the conflict”, the humanitarian crisis, and Israel’s repeated threats to annex Palestinian land.

Since then, Israel has:

• Continued its bombardment of Gaza
• Prompted a UN-backed hunger monitor to declare famine in parts of the territory
• Threatened the use of “unprecedented force” to capture Gaza City

Other Western countries, including France and Canada, are reportedly planning to recognise a Palestinian state during the UN General Assembly next week.

Israel has vehemently opposed these recognitions and is reportedly threatening to annex parts of the West Bank in retaliation.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged nations not to be intimidated by potential Israeli reprisals, stating the world “should not feel intimidated by the risk of retaliation.”

The ongoing conflict stems from Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which caused:

The Israeli military campaign has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, leaving tens of thousands in urgent need of aid and basic necessities.

The upcoming recognitions by the UK, Portugal, and other nations are likely to intensify diplomatic tensions while signalling international concern over the humanitarian and political situation in the region.