Closing summary
The UK, Australia and Canada have all formally recognised Palestinian statehood in a diplomatically significant – but highly symbolic – move that puts three major US allies at odds with the Trump administration.
The British prime minister, Keir Starmer, said the historic move was needed to “revive the hope of peace and a two-state solution” and stressed that it was not a reward for Hamas’ terrorism.
Starmer said his government will sanction Hamas figures in the coming weeks. He also urged Israel to lift restrictions at Gaza’s border to allow for a surge in humanitarian aid, and said the “death and destruction” in Gaza “must end”.
Israel’s foreign ministry said “recognition is nothing but a reward for jihadist Hamas”.
Canada technically became the first G7 nation to recognise a Palestinian state, making the announcement on social media shortly before Australia and the UK. “Canada recognises the state of Palestine and offers our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future for both the state of Palestine and the state of Israel,” the Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, wrote.
Other countries, including France, are expected to follow suit this week at the UN general assembly in New York.
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Updated
The Conservative party leader, Kemi Badenoch, has said the UK’s recognition of a Palestinian state is “absolutely disastrous” and a decision that rewards Hamas for its terrorism.
In a post on X, Badenoch wrote:
Disastrous. Absolutely disastrous. We will all rue the day this decision was made.
Rewarding terrorism with no conditions whatsoever put in place for Hamas. It leaves hostages languishing in Gaza and does nothing to stop the suffering of innocent people caught in this war.
