Overview

• The United Kingdom, Canada and Australia issued coordinated statements on Sept. 21 recognizing a Palestinian state, with Portugal announcing its recognition later in the day.
• Britain and Canada became the first G7 members to extend recognition, framing the step as support for reviving a two‑state solution and renewed peace efforts.
• Keir Starmer, Mark Carney and Anthony Albanese said recognition is political pressure for peace, with British and Australian leaders stressing Hamas should have no role and calling for the release of hostages.
• France is expected to join a cohort of roughly ten countries announcing recognition on Sept. 22 at a UN‑adjacent event, and President Emmanuel Macron said Paris would not open an embassy until Hamas frees hostages.
• Israel condemned the recognitions as unilateral, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling a Palestinian state a threat to Israel’s existence and senior officials warning of retaliatory steps including annexation or settlement expansion.