UK, Canada and Australia formally recognise Palestinian state

"Our call for a genuine two-state solution is the exact opposite of [Hamas's] hateful vision," Starmer said as he announced UK's decision to formally recognise the state of Palestine following Australia and Canada

Written by Shaurya Agarwal

Updated: September 21, 2025 19:25 IST

In his closing remarks, Keir Starmer calls on countries to "channel our efforts" to bring about "the peaceful future that we want to see". It's "the best hope for peace and security for all sides", he added.

Following in the footsteps of Canada and Australia, Starmer recently announced UK’s decision to formally recognise the state of Palestine. Starmer on Sunday said that he has met British families of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and sees “the torture they endure each and every day” and pain that strikes deep in the hearts of people in Israel and the UK.

The hostages must be released immediately, Starmer said in his announcement on Sunday. “We will keep fighting to keep them home. Our call for a genuine two-state solution is the exact opposite of [Hamas’s] hateful vision,” he added.

“This solution is not a reward for Hamas,” he added, emphasising that Hamas can have no future, no role in government, and no role in security.

Canada and Australia formally recognise the Palestinian state

Earlier today, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also officially recognised the State of Palestine, releasing a statement on Sunday morning. Carney noted that the possibility of a two-state solution was “eroded before our eyes” and that the recognition was part of a coordinated international effort to preserve its prospect.

Australia also formally recognised Palestine on Sunday, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stating that the declaration was a joint effort with Britain and Canada. Australia’s government, which has a long-standing intent to recognize Palestine as part of a peace process, shifted its timing for recognition in response to the ongoing Gaza war and to advance the peace process.

Israel and US officials offer criticism

The announcements by the UK, Canada, and Australia were coordinated to occur before the United Nations General Assembly and are intended to increase diplomatic pressure for a resolution to the conflict. Australian officials have faced criticism from both Netanyahu and US officials for the decision. The Israeli government reportedly cancelled visas for Australian diplomats in the West Bank in August 2025.

The move was made contingent on commitments from the Palestinian Authority regarding governance reforms and elections in 2026, from which Hamas is to be excluded. The decision drew strong criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called such recognition “absurd” and a “reward for Hamas terror”.