Widespread Western Call to Recognize Palestine: 15 Countries Lead the Initiative

30th July 2025

2 minutes read

Widespread Western Call to Recognize Palestine: 15 Countries Lead the Initiative

France, along with 14 other countries including Canada and Australia, issued a joint appeal on Wednesday urging other nations to declare their intention to recognize the State of Palestine.

French Minister Jean-Noël Barrot wrote on the platform X: “In New York, with 14 other countries, France is making a collective appeal: we express our determination to recognize the State of Palestine and call on those who have not yet done so to join us.”

Canada and Australia, both G20 members, joined France in signing the statement. Other signatory countries include Andorra, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, and Spain.

Among these, nine countries — Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Portugal, and San Marino — have not yet officially recognized Palestine but expressed their “willingness or positive interest” in doing so.

The announcement came shortly after a landmark decision by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, stating that Britain would recognize the State of Palestine in September unless the Israeli government takes substantial steps to end what he called the “dire situation” in Gaza and meets other political conditions.

According to The Guardian, Starmer recalled his government from their summer recess to approve the decision.

The move followed talks with former U.S. President Donald Trump in Scotland on Monday, as well as urgent discussions between the UK, France, and Germany concerning the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

Starmer told his ministers: “Given the catastrophic situation on the ground in Gaza and the declining prospects of a two-state solution, it is time to adopt this position.”

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, he added: “Ultimately, the only way to end this humanitarian crisis is through a long-term settlement.”

He continued: “Our goal remains a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable, sovereign Palestinian state — but that vision is under unprecedented strain today.”

“I’ve always said we would recognize a Palestinian state as a contribution to a meaningful peace process. With the two-state solution now under threat, this is the moment for action.”

This development comes as UN-backed experts warned on Tuesday that the “worst-case scenario of famine” is unfolding in Gaza, calling for “immediate action.”

Simultaneously, Gaza’s Ministry of Health announced that the death toll from Israeli attacks had surpassed 60,000 Palestinians.

As with France, the UK’s recognition would be largely symbolic, but it could increase diplomatic pressure to resolve the conflict — particularly since Starmer appears to have Trump’s implicit approval, according to the Associated Press.