On the occasion of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, despite strong opposition from Israel and the United States, the countries of the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Portugal, France, Malta, Belgium, Luxembourg, Monaco, San Marino, and Andorra simultaneously announced their recognition of the State of Palestine, bringing the total number of countries recognizing the State of Palestine to 160 out of 193 UN member states.

Vietnam was one of the first countries to early recognize the State of Palestine. On November 19, 1988, just four days after the State of Palestine declared its establishment, Vietnam recognized it and gave strong support to the struggle of the Palestinian people.

This is a victory for Palestinian diplomacy and a turning point that creates new momentum for the two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Many countries had previously recognized the State of Palestine, but this wave of recognition is extremely significant.

First, despite lobbying opposition from Israel and the United States, many countries still decided to recognize the State of Palestine.

Most of the recognizing countries are allies of the United States and have close relations, providing weapons and financial support to Israel, such as the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Portugal, Australia…

Particularly significant is that the United Kingdom, the country that issued the Balfour Declaration in 1917 supporting the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine, has now, after more than 100 years, declared its support for the establishment of a Palestinian State.

Second, this wave of recognition for the State of Palestine comes as the Israeli government continues to intensify its military campaign to seize the Gaza Strip, causing unprecedented destruction and a humanitarian crisis.

The far-right government of Prime Minister Netanyahu is expanding settlements in the West Bank and is considering plans to annex those occupied Palestinian territories, rejecting the establishment of an independent Palestinian State.

The recognition by these countries aims to send a strong message acknowledging the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people and is a turning point that creates new momentum for the two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

This decision immediately increases pressure on Israel to end the war in the Gaza Strip, and Israel and the United States, whether they like it or not, must reconsider their policies regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

European countries’ recognition of the State of Palestine will help enhance Palestine’s international status and establish direct diplomatic relations between the Palestinian Authority and the recognizing states.

Peace in the Middle East and Israel’s security can only be achieved based on the two-state solution, whereby a Palestinian State must be established within the pre-1967 borders alongside the State of Israel.

To achieve this goal, Israel must cease fire in the Gaza Strip, Hamas must release all Israeli hostages, and negotiations must resume to find a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, ensuring the interests of all parties involved.

The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal have become the latest countries to recognize the State of Palestine, increasing pressure on Israel to end the war in the Gaza Strip.

UN General Assembly

The United Nations General Assembly is the main deliberative and policymaking body of the UN, established in 1945 after World War II. It provides a forum for all 193 member states to discuss and work together on international issues covered by the UN Charter, such as peace, security, and development. Each member nation has an equal vote, making it a unique platform for global diplomatic dialogue.

State of Palestine

The State of Palestine is a partially recognized sovereign state in the Middle East, located in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Its history is deeply intertwined with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, stemming from the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and the subsequent Israeli occupation of the territories following the 1967 Six-Day War. The Palestinian National Authority was established as a result of the 1990s Oslo Accords, and Palestine is recognized by a majority of UN member states as the homeland of the Palestinian people.

Balfour Declaration

The Balfour Declaration was a public statement issued by the British government in 1917 during World War I. It declared support for the establishment of a «national home for the Jewish people» in Palestine, which was then an Ottoman region. This declaration was a pivotal document that had major long-term consequences for the Middle East, laying the groundwork for the eventual creation of the State of Israel and shaping the region’s ongoing political conflicts.

Gaza Strip

The Gaza Strip is a small coastal territory on the Mediterranean Sea that has been a strategically significant crossroads for centuries, ruled by various empires. In the 20th century, it came under Egyptian administration after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war and was later occupied by Israel following the 1967 Six-Day War. Since 2007, it has been governed by the political faction Hamas and is subject to a blockade by Israel and Egypt.

West Bank

The West Bank is a landlocked territory in the Middle East, forming the core of the proposed State of Palestine. Its modern political history is defined by the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, after which it was annexed by Jordan, and its subsequent capture by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War. It remains a central focus of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with ongoing disputes over borders, settlements, and sovereignty.

State of Israel

The State of Israel is a country in the Middle East, established in 1948 as a modern homeland for the Jewish people following the Holocaust and centuries of diaspora. Its establishment on land with deep historical and religious significance for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam followed a United Nations partition plan and was immediately followed by a war with neighboring Arab states. Israel is a parliamentary democracy known for its technological innovation and is home to globally significant religious sites such as the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Palestinian Authority

The Palestinian Authority is an interim administrative body established in 1994 as a result of the Oslo Accords, tasked with governing parts of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. It was created to oversee civil affairs and internal security for a five-year interim period leading to a final status agreement with Israel. While its intended function was transitional, it continues to operate as the governing body in parts of the occupied Palestinian territories.

Middle East

The Middle East is a transcontinental region centered on Western Asia and Egypt, historically known as the «Cradle of Civilization» as it was home to the earliest empires, including Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt. It is the birthplace of major world religions such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and its history has been profoundly shaped by trade routes, empires, and in the modern era, the discovery of vast oil reserves. This complex history continues to define the region’s significant geopolitical and cultural role in the world today.