Portugal‘s foreign ministry announced on Friday that the nation will officially recognize a Palestinian state on Sunday, just before a United Nations General Assembly meeting in which ten other countries plan to follow suit. Britain, Canada, and France are among the Western nations planning this recognition at the upcoming assembly. Consequently, this collective action unfolds as Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip continues to intensify.
Global Recognition Grows
Lisbon had already announced its intentions to recognize Palestine back in July, with the government citing the “extremely worrying evolution of the conflict,” the severe humanitarian crisis, and Israel’s repeated threats to annex Palestinian land as key reasons.
The foreign affairs ministry confirmed the plan in a statement on its website, adding that it will make the official declaration of recognition on Sunday, 21st September.
Earlier on Friday, an adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron reported that several more nations also plan to recognize the State of Palestine. These countries include Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, and San Marino.
The United Nations General Assembly in New York, beginning on Monday, is set to focus its efforts on the long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Delegates will specifically discuss the viability of a so-called two-state solution.
Israel’s Response
Israel has fiercely criticized the plans for Palestinian recognition, arguing the move rewards Hamas for its October, 2023, attack which initially sparked the current war in the Gaza Strip. However, the spiraling humanitarian crisis in the coastal strip has convinced some of Israel’s longtime allies to move forward with the recognition. The United Nations has even warned of impending famine within Gaza City.
Currently, around three-quarters of the 193 United Nations members already officially recognize the State of Palestine.
