Overview

• The coordinated announcements on September 21 were framed as an effort to keep a viable Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel.
• The United Kingdom said it will impose additional sanctions on Hamas leaders, and all three governments insisted Hamas must have no role in future Palestinian governance.
• Australia and Canada signaled that opening embassies and fuller diplomatic ties would depend on Palestinian Authority reforms, democratic elections, demilitarization and recognition of Israel.
• Israeli leaders condemned the move, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling it a reward for terrorism and minister Itamar Ben Gvir urging annexation of the West Bank and dismantling of the Palestinian Authority.
• The shift comes during a severe Gaza humanitarian crisis and reports of a recent UN inquiry concluding Israel committed genocide, as France and Portugal were reported to be preparing similar recognitions around the UN General Assembly.