Britain and Portugal are preparing to formally recognise a Palestinian state on Sunday, a major diplomatic shift that comes ahead of the United Nations General Assembly debate in New York.
The move is part of a growing wave of international pressure on Israel as its military campaign in Gaza intensifies.
For months, Israel has faced increasing criticism from its traditional allies, many of whom now see recognition of Palestine as essential to reviving the long-stalled two-state solution.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza marked by widespread destruction, food shortages, and mass civilian casualties has fueled the urgency.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to confirm the policy change this weekend, according to British media reports.
In July, he warned that if Israel failed to take “substantive steps” toward a ceasefire with Hamas before the UN Assembly, the UK would move forward with recognition.
Starmer argued that the step would provide “maximum impact” for peace efforts at a time of escalating conflict.
Israel, however, has strongly condemned the shift. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Starmer of rewarding terrorism and appeasing “jihadist ideology.”
Israel has also threatened to annex more land in the West Bank if recognition efforts proceed.
Portugal confirmed it would also announce its recognition on Sunday.
Lisbon had previously signaled the decision in July, citing both the humanitarian disaster in Gaza and Israel’s repeated threats of annexation.
The move by the UK and Portugal adds momentum to a wider trend. France and Canada are expected to join in recognition during the UN gathering, alongside several other Western nations.
Around 10 countries in total are likely to formally acknowledge Palestinian statehood in the coming days.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged the international community not to be intimidated by Israeli threats of retaliation.
“The world should not feel intimidated by the risk of retaliation,” he told AFP.
The ongoing war traces back to Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which killed 1,219 people, mostly civilians.
Israel’s response has since left at least 65,208 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza’s health ministry figures verified by the UN.
Most of the victims are civilians, and famine has been declared in parts of the territory.
With recognition building ahead of the UN General Assembly’s high-level debate starting September 23, the long-deadlocked Israeli-Palestinian conflict is once again at the center of global diplomacy.
Whether this surge in recognition leads to meaningful peace negotiations remains uncertain.
The post UK, Portugal to Recognise Palestinian State Ahead of UN Debate first appeared on Diaspora Digital Media DDM.
