Britain and Portugal will formally recognize a Palestinian state on Sunday, signaling a significant diplomatic shift ahead of a pivotal United Nations General Assembly debate focused on advancing the two-state solution. The move, reported by the BBC and confirmed by Portuguese officials, comes amid growing international pressure on Israel over its military operations in Gaza.
A Coordinated Diplomatic Push
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce the policy change on Sunday, fulfilling a July pledge to act if Israel did not make "substantive steps" toward a ceasefire with Hamas. Portugal’s Foreign Ministry stated its recognition will precede next week’s high-level UN conference, where France, Canada, and up to eight other nations are anticipated to follow suit.
Israel’s Opposition and Regional Tensions
Israel has condemned the recognition efforts, with reports suggesting it may escalate its presence in the West Bank in response. The developments follow months of intensified conflict in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’s 2023 attack, which has led to widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis marked by severe food shortages and displacement.
Global Reactions and UN Leadership
UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged nations not to be "intimidated by the risk of retaliation" during a Friday interview with AFP. The upcoming UN debate will spotlight the viability of a two-state solution, a framework increasingly endorsed by Western allies despite Israel’s objections.
