The Dramatic policy reversal

The move represents a dramatic policy reversal for Ottawa, aligning Canada with a growing bloc of Western nations among them France and Britain, who have recently signaled readiness to recognise Palestinian statehood. France was the first of the three to announce its intentions, followed by Britain, which linked its recognition to a cease-fire agreement in Gaza. Canada’s condition hinges on political change within the Palestinian Authority itself.

The humanitarian catastrophe

The coordinated announcements come amid intensifying international outrage over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where tens of thousands of Palestinians have died in nearly two years of war. Over two million residents now face dire food shortages, and Gaza health officials report dozens of starvation-related deaths, including among children. Prime Minister Carney blamed the worsening situation on Israel’s refusal to allow international organisations to manage and distribute aid.

So far, 147 of the 193 United Nations member states have recognized a Palestinian state. That number is set to rise, with France, Britain, and Canada, three close US allies and influential voices in global diplomacy, poised to join the list.

In the G20 group of major economies, the number will rise to 13 of 20 if France, Britain, and Canada follow through on their pledges.

Within NATO, 14 out of 32 member countries now recognize Palestine. Several other European countries—including Spain, Ireland, Norway, and Sweden have already recognised Palestine, intensifying the diplomatic isolation of both Israel and the United States on this issue.

There are five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. The moves by France and Britain would leave the United States as the only permanent member that does not recognize a Palestinian state.

What is India's take?

India was among the first nations to recognize the State of Palestine following its declaration in 1988. Even earlier, in 1974, India had acknowledged the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people—underscoring New Delhi’s long-standing support for the Palestinian cause.

How did France do it?

France on Monday announced that will officially recognise a Palestinian state in September, President Emmanuel Macron has said, which will make it the first G7 nation to do so. In a post on X, Macron said the formal announcement would be made at a session of the UN General Assembly in New York. "The urgent need today is for the war in Gaza to end and for the civilian population to be rescued. Peace is possible. We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza," he wrote.

UK PM Keir Starmer on Tuesday said that the UK would recognise the state of in September “unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire and commit to a long-term, sustainable peace, reviving the prospect of a two-state solution”.

As Canada joins France and the UK in announcing plans to recognise a Palestinian state, the US is standing firmly with Israel. US President Donald Trump has linked Canada’s recognition of Palestinian statehood to future trade relations between the two countries. Taking to Truth Social, Trump posted on Wednesday: “Wow! Canada has just announced that it is backing statehood for Palestine. That will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them. Oh’ Canada!!!.”

As France, UK and Canada join list, a look at the countries that recognised Palestinian state

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he had received assurances from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas during a recent phone call that such reforms would be enacted.

By: Express Web Desk

New Delhi | July 31, 2025 07:15 PM IST

2 min read

A child holds a pot as Palestinians gather to receive food from a charity kitchen, amid a hunger crisis, in Gaza (Reuters)

Canada announced on Wednesday that it is prepared to recognise Palestine as a state on the condition that the Palestinian Authority undertakes key political reforms, including holding long-delayed elections.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said he had received assurances from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas during a recent phone call that such reforms would be enacted. Carney added that Canada plans to formally recognise Palestine during the United Nations General Assembly in September, after 15 countries co-signed a declaration that pointed towards a wave of future recognitions of an independent Palestinian state.

The signatories include Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Portugal and San Marino, each of which has not yet recognised an independent Palestinian state. They also include Iceland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, Slovenia and Spain, which have.

“The deepening suffering of civilians leaves no room for delaying coordinated international action to support peace, security and the dignity of human life,” Carney said following a cabinet meeting focused largely on the crisis in Gaza.

But, these three are not the only, the list of countries recognising Palestine as a state is a long one.

Here are the 10 big points to know:

01
The Dramatic policy reversal
The move represents a dramatic policy reversal for Ottawa, aligning Canada with a growing bloc of Western nations among them France and Britain, who have recently signaled readiness to recognise Palestinian statehood. France was the first of the three to announce its intentions, followed by Britain, which linked its recognition to a cease-fire agreement in Gaza. Canada’s condition hinges on political change within the Palestinian Authority itself.
02
The humanitarian catastrophe
The coordinated announcements come amid intensifying international outrage over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where tens of thousands of Palestinians have died in nearly two years of war. Over two million residents now face dire food shortages, and Gaza health officials report dozens of starvation-related deaths, including among children. Prime Minister Carney blamed the worsening situation on Israel’s refusal to allow international organisations to manage and distribute aid.
03
147 of the 193
So far, 147 of the 193 United Nations member states have recognized a Palestinian state. That number is set to rise, with France, Britain, and Canada, three close US allies and influential voices in global diplomacy, poised to join the list.
04
10 of 20
In the G20 group of major economies, the number will rise to 13 of 20 if France, Britain, and Canada follow through on their pledges.
05
14 out of 32
Within NATO, 14 out of 32 member countries now recognize Palestine. Several other European countries—including Spain, Ireland, Norway, and Sweden have already recognised Palestine, intensifying the diplomatic isolation of both Israel and the United States on this issue.
06
Permanent members
There are five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. The moves by France and Britain would leave the United States as the only permanent member that does not recognize a Palestinian state.
07
What is India's take?
India was among the first nations to recognize the State of Palestine following its declaration in 1988. Even earlier, in 1974, India had acknowledged the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people—underscoring New Delhi’s long-standing support for the Palestinian cause.
08
How did France do it?
France on Monday announced that will officially recognise a Palestinian state in September, President Emmanuel Macron has said, which will make it the first G7 nation to do so. In a post on X, Macron said the formal announcement would be made at a session of the UN General Assembly in New York. "The urgent need today is for the war in Gaza to end and for the civilian population to be rescued. Peace is possible. We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza," he wrote.
09
UK followed
UK PM Keir Starmer on Tuesday said that the UK would recognise the state of in September “unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire and commit to a long-term, sustainable peace, reviving the prospect of a two-state solution”.
10
What about US?
As Canada joins France and the UK in announcing plans to recognise a Palestinian state, the US is standing firmly with Israel. US President Donald Trump has linked Canada’s recognition of Palestinian statehood to future trade relations between the two countries. Taking to Truth Social, Trump posted on Wednesday: “Wow! Canada has just announced that it is backing statehood for Palestine. That will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them. Oh’ Canada!!!.”