What does recognising a Palestinian state mean? | World News

The UK is making a major policy shift to recognise Palestine as a state.

Sir Keir Starmer has been under pressure after more than 250 MPs – over a third of the Commons – signed a cross-party letter demanding he take the step.

The prime minister had initially resisted calls, saying recognition needs to be part of a wider peace plan.

But he has now changed his position, albeit with certain conditions.

It also comes after France’s recent decision to recognise Palestine as a state – becoming the first country to do so in the G7, a group which represents seven of the world’s largest advanced economies.

Here is what you need to know about the significance of recognising a Palestinian state, the timing of the decision, and whether other countries are likely to follow France.

What does recognising a Palestinian state mean?

Under the Montevideo Convention of 1933, there are several criteria before Palestine can be recognised as a sovereign state under international law.

The process requires the state to have:

• a permanent population

• a defined territory

• an effective government and international relations

• formal diplomatic processes including embassies, ambassadors and treaties

Out of the 193 United Nations member states, 147 already recognise Palestine as a state as of March 2025.

That includes Russia, China and India, as well as more than a dozen in Europe, including Spain, Ireland and Norway, and more recently France.

Why have the UK and France acted now?

Sir Keir says the time to recognise Palestine is now, as it will have the highest impact, as the hope of a two-state solution – a “secure” Israel alongside a “viable” Palestinian state – is at risk.

He says it is part of an “eight-part plan”, already discussed with France and Germany, but denies it represents a U-turn after pressure from Labour MPs, saying instead it was always part of the plan to recognise Palestine.

After addressing a UN summit on a two-state solution, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy described what’s been happening in Gaza as “horrific” and called for a ceasefire.

“The time has come to see those hostages released, and the time has come to abate the suffering of the Palestinian people, to get them the aid and medical equipment and supplies they need,” he added.

Emmanuel Macron has been leaning towards recognising a Palestinian state for months as part of a bid to keep the idea of a two-state solution alive, despite pressure from other countries not to do so.

What is a two-state solution?

A two-state solution would see an independent Palestinian state established alongside the existing state of Israel – giving both peoples their own territory.

The Palestinians seek an independent state in the occupied West Bank, annexed east Jerusalem and Gaza, territories that have been occupied by Israel since the 1967 Six-Day War.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and most of Israel’s political class have long been opposed to Palestinian statehood, and argue that it would reward militants after the 7 October attacks launched by Hamas in 2023.

One of the biggest obstacles to a two-state solution would be deciding what the borders of a potential Palestinian state would be.

Many believe they should be the same ones that existed before 1967, but since then, increasing numbers of Israeli settlements have been established inside the West Bank, with around 600,000 Israelis now living there and in Occupied East Jerusalem.

How have Israel and Palestine responded?

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Israel has condemned the decision.

The country’s foreign ministry said in a post on X: “The shift in the British Government’s position at this time, following the French move and internal political pressures, constitutes a reward for Hamas and harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of hostages.”

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly condemned France, saying recognising a Palestinian state now would be a “launch pad to annihilate Israel – not to live in peace beside it”.

Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Jerusalem expressed “thanks and appreciation” to the French leader.

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What about other countries?

In response to France’s decision, the German government said Berlin still backs a two-state solution but won’t recognise a Palestinian state for now, instead stressing the need for a Gaza ceasefire, hostage release, and urgent humanitarian aid.

Canada also pressed Israel to seek peace, with Prime Minister Mark Carney reiterating support for a two-state solution, but has so far stopped short of recognising Palestine as a state.

Australia‘s prime minister, Anthony Albanese, described the situation in Gaza as a “humanitarian catastrophe” and said his country is “committed to a future where both Israeli and Palestinian people can live in peace and safety within secure and internationally recognised borders”.

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Italy‘s foreign minister said the recognition of a Palestinian state must also recognise Israel as a state.

“A Palestinian state that does not recognise Israel means that the problem will not be resolved,” Antonio Tajani told a meeting of his conservative Forza Italia party in Rome.

Spain, which already recognises Palestinian statehood, welcomed Mr Macron’s announcement. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote in a statement on X: “Together, we must protect what Netanyahu is trying to destroy. The two-state solution is the only solution.”

Saudi Arabia‘s foreign ministry also said it “commends this historic decision” and called on other countries to take “similar positive steps”.