Overview

• The four governments announced recognition on September 21, with the UK and Canada becoming the first G7 members to take the step.
• Officials framed the move as a response to Israel’s mid-September ground offensive in Gaza and the deepening humanitarian crisis, seeking to increase pressure for negotiations.
• Israel and the United States criticized the recognitions as rewarding Hamas, while the UK said Hamas would have no role in a future Palestinian government and signaled additional sanctions on Hamas-linked individuals.
• A leaders-level meeting at UN headquarters is scheduled to discuss a path to a two-state solution, with reporting indicating France could follow with recognition.
• Japan has indicated it will not recognize Palestine at this General Assembly timing, and the Palestinian representative in Tokyo urged the government to proceed with recognition.