New York: Palestinian statehood and the pursuit of a two-state solution will take center stage at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly on September 9.
According to Deutsche Welle, several countries, including France, Canada, Australia, Malta, Portugal, and Belgium, have declared their intention to recognize a Palestinian state during the assembly. The United Kingdom has also indicated it might follow suit if Israel fails to make significant peace advancements in the Gaza Strip, such as agreeing to a ceasefire with Hamas and permitting UN aid to enter the region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of his government have consistently criticized these moves, arguing that recognizing a Palestinian state would effectively reward terrorism. Despite their opposition, international support for Palestinian statehood continues to grow. On May 11, 2024, a significant majority of UN General Assembly members—143 out of 193—voted in favor of a resolution to recognize Palestinian statehood.
Palestine currently holds non-member observer status at the UN, and full membership can only be granted by the UN Security Council. In April 2024, the United States, wielding veto power, blocked a draft resolution that recommended granting Palestine full membership. Nonetheless, recent developments indicate a shift in global attitudes. In 2024, Caribbean nations such as the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and Barbados announced their recognition of Palestinian statehood. In a similar move, Mexico, in June 2023, expressed full support for Palestinian statehood and subsequently established a full embassy in the Palestinian territories.
Colombia, which recognized Palestine as a sovereign nation in 2018, has further distanced itself from Israel following the ongoing conflict in Gaza. President Gustavo Petro has ordered the opening of an embassy in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank, signaling a significant diplomatic shift.
The stance of Western nations has been evolving, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which began in 2023 following the October 7 Hamas-led attacks. Ireland, Norway, and Spain recognized Palestinian statehood in 2024, citing concerns over Israel’s actions. In 2025, France became the first G7 country to announce its intention to recognize Palestinian statehood, with Canada, Malta, Australia, Portugal, and Belgium following suit. Middle East expert Hugh Lovatt from the European Council on Foreign Relations has speculated that additional European countries, including Denmark and Luxembourg, might soon join this growing list.
Despite these developments, Germany remains steadfast in its support for Israel, with Lovatt noting that it is unlikely to change its position in the near future. The global discourse around Palestinian statehood continues to evolve, with the upcoming UN General Assembly poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Middle East conflict.
