Which countries recognize Palestinian statehood? – DW – 09/19/2025

Countries Pledge Recognition of Palestinian Statehood at UN General Assembly In a significant shift in Western policy on Palestinian statehood, several countries have announced plans to recognize Palestine as a sovereign state at the United Nations General Assembly. The move comes as the international community continues to push for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. According to sources, Australia, Canada, France, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Malta have all pledged to recognize Palestine as a state in September 2025, during the UN General Assembly's annual meeting. Belgium has also indicated its intention to recognize Palestine, but with certain conditions attached. The decision to recognize Palestinian statehood is seen as a major victory for the Palestinian leadership, which has been pushing for international recognition of its sovereignty for decades. "This is a significant step forward in our quest for independence and self-determination," said a senior Palestinian official, who wished to remain anonymous. "We hope that this will pave the way for full UN membership and an end to the occupation." However, not all countries are on board with recognizing Palestine as a state. The United States has long been opposed to recognizing Palestinian statehood, citing concerns over the Palestinian leadership's commitment to peace negotiations with Israel. The Israeli government has also expressed its opposition to the move, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring that "there will never be a Palestinian state." An Israeli official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the recognition of Palestine as a state would only serve to undermine efforts to negotiate a lasting peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians. The recent developments at the UN General Assembly come just days after the body overwhelmingly backed a resolution supporting a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians. The vote saw 142 countries voting in favor, 10 against, and 12 abstaining. The recognition of Palestine as a state is seen as a major policy shift by Western countries, which have traditionally been supportive of Israel's position on the conflict. However, with many European countries now pledging to recognize Palestinian statehood, it remains to be seen whether this will lead to increased pressure on Israel to negotiate a peace agreement. The current status of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains complex and contentious, with both sides holding firm to their positions. The international community continues to push for a two-state solution, but the path forward remains uncertain. Background The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been ongoing for decades, with both sides vying for control over disputed territories in the Middle East. The Palestinian leadership has long sought recognition of its sovereignty and self-determination, while Israel has maintained that it will only negotiate a peace agreement if the Palestinian leadership recognizes its right to exist as a Jewish state. Additional Perspectives The recognition of Palestine as a state is seen as a major victory for the Palestinian leadership, but also raises questions about what this means in practice. "Recognition is not enough," said a senior Israeli official. "We need to see concrete actions from the Palestinian leadership to demonstrate their commitment to peace negotiations." The international community continues to play a key role in pushing for a two-state solution, with many countries calling on both sides to negotiate in good faith. However, the path forward remains uncertain, and it remains to be seen whether this latest development will lead to increased pressure on Israel to negotiate a lasting peace agreement. Next Developments The recognition of Palestine as a state is set to be formally recognized at the UN General Assembly in September 2025. The move is expected to have significant implications for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and will likely be met with both praise and criticism from around the world. *Reporting by Dw.*