The Arab League welcomed Sunday's announcements by Britain, Canada, Australia, and Portugal formally recognizing the State of Palestine, calling the move a pivotal step toward resolving decades of conflict. Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit described the decisions as "correcting a historical error" in a social media post, emphasizing alignment with global public demands for Palestinian self-determination.
"We anticipate more impactful international recognitions soon," Aboul-Gheit stated, urging renewed focus on a two-state solution.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer affirmed the UK's recognition in a video statement, stressing the need to "shift back to a two-state solution." Australia and Canada issued similar declarations, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling Palestinian statehood a "legitimate and long-held aspiration." Portugal joined the wave of recognitions hours later through a statement by Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel at the UN.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the moves, accusing the nations of "rewarding terrorism" and vowing no Palestinian state would exist "west of the Jordan River." Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas praised the decisions as critical for achieving "just and lasting peace."
The announcements precede a high-level UN conference on the two-state solution co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, signaling renewed diplomatic momentum amid calls for ceasefire and humanitarian access in Gaza.
