Overview

• On Sunday, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Portugal announced formal recognition of the State of Palestine, with the UK and Canada becoming the first G7 countries to do so.
• France says about ten countries, including itself, will unveil recognitions at a UN side meeting today, and President Emmanuel Macron is conditioning any French embassy opening on Hamas releasing hostages.
• Israel formally rejected the unilateral recognitions, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing no Palestinian state and ministers urging expanded settlement or annexation moves in the West Bank.
• The United States criticized the campaign, and President Donald Trump publicly opposed the UK decision, while Germany reiterated that recognition should follow negotiations.
• News tallies put the number of UN member states recognizing Palestine at roughly 145–147, and officials note the step is largely symbolic without altering UN membership or control on the ground.