The declarations of recognition of the state of Palestine by Australia, the UK and Canada have attracted global attention in the context of the war in Gaza that killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and devastated many areas. The move comes right before the United Nations General Assembly, where France and Portugal are also expected to support Palestine.
According to international criteria established in 2013, a country needs to have a permanent population, determined territory, government and the ability to conduct diplomatic relations. Many international law experts believe that Palestine meets these criteria at a basic level, with residents and land in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, along with the Palestinian government established by the Palestine Liberation Organization.
The recognition of the state of Palestine is not only legally significant but also a strong political message, affirming the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and opposing Israel's actions that are considered to hinder that right.
"An important consequence of recognizing the Palestinian state is that it creates a basis for a comprehensive review of bilateral relations with Israel," said Ardi Imseis, a former UN official at Queen's University in Canada's Faculty of Law.
In fact, 147 out of 193 United Nations members have recognized Palestine. Recently, France, Belgium, the UK, Canada and Australia have all participated, in which the UK and France are particularly affected because they are permanent members of the Security Council. This left the US the only member of the Security Council to continue to object. Palestine currently only has a status as an expert at the United Nations, and this situation is unlikely to change if the US remains a tough stance.
Some countries set conditions when recognizing. Belgium has asked Hamas not to participate in managing Palestine, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer affirmed that the goal is to revive hope for peace and a two-state solution. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also emphasized his desire to build a peaceful future for both Palestine and Israel.
Although symbolic, many experts said that these recognition steps are an important contribution to the goal of the two countries, which is recognized by international law and United Nations resolutions.
In contrast, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly opposed, saying that the establishment of a Palestinian state would threaten Israel's security.
