A growing number of countries are officially recognising Palestine as an independent state, amid mounting international outrage over Israe...
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A growing number of countries are officially recognising Palestine as an independent state, amid mounting international outrage over Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.
On Sunday, Portugal officially recognised the State of Palestine, joining the UK, Canada, and Australia in this landmark decision made ahead of the United Nations General Assembly this week.
The announcement was made by Portugal's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel, in New York, reaffirming support for a two-state solution as the only viable path to lasting peace.
"The recognition of the state of Palestine is the realisation of a fundamental, constant, and fundamental line of Portuguese foreign policy," Rangel told reporters at the headquarters of Portugal's permanent mission to the United Nations in New York.
He said that "Portugal advocates the two-state solution as the only path to a just and lasting peace...a ceasefire is urgent."
This wave of recognition reflects a broader international trend, with over 150 nations currently acknowledging Palestinian statehood.
In light of the upcoming UN summit, an additional ten countries, including France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Andorra, and Malta, are expected to announce their recognition of Palestine in the coming days.
French President Emmanuel Macron revealed that France would make its formal declaration during the UN session, while UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy emphasized that
Britain's recognition must be part of a comprehensive peace process.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed on a call with President Mahmoud Abbas that Ottawa aims to recognise Palestine officially this September.
Similarly, Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed support for this move to advance a two-state solution.
Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot and San Marino's Foreign Minister Luca Beccari have also indicated their countries' plans to recognise Palestine together.
This emerging consensus comes as part of an international conference co-led by Saudi Arabia and France.
The Israeli regime, however, condemned these developments, with the head of the Israeli regime, Benjamin Netanyahu, reacting angrily and vowing to oppose it at the UN talks.
Netanyahu said on Sunday that calls for a Palestinian state “would endanger our existence and serve as an absurd reward for terrorism.”
Meanwhile, Palestinian foreign minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin thanked countries that have already recognised or are preparing to recognise a Palestinian state.
She said the move will send “a very clear message to the Israelis on their illusions of continuing their occupation forever.”
The three major US allies formally recognised the state of Palestine as many traditional backers of Israel have said they will follow suit.
Announcements from major Western powers and longtime Israeli allies signal the regime’s increasing international isolation amid its genocidal war on Gaza.
While recognition of Palestine is largely symbolic, it highlights growing global support for Palestine and its statehood.
Critics, however, argue that such moves from countries that are financially and militarily backing Israel are a tactic to maintain their support for Tel Aviv while appearing to side with international public opinion.
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