Tehran – The perception of Palestinians as an independent state by several other Western countries marks an important milestone that underscores the persistent resilience and immobilisation of Palestinians amid Israeli atrocities. However, this diplomatic change appears less driven by true humanitarian concerns and less by increasing domestic and international pressures.
On Sunday, Canada, Australia and the UK formally recognized Palestine as a sovereign and independent state.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in X: “On Sunday, September 21, 2025, the Commonwealth of Australia officially recognizes an independent, sovereign state.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has similarly announced that Canada is acknowledging Palestinian provinces in line with the so-called two-province solution.
These moves were coordinated with the UK, where Kiel Prime Minister Starmer declared that his country would formally recognize Palestine soon afterwards. He said that such recognition would “revive hope for peace between the Palestinians and Israelis and revive the solution for the two states.”
Political and public pressure
Despite these announcements, perceptions by these Western countries appear to be a response to the escalation of protest against their perceived accomplices in Israel’s war crimes in Gaza. President Donald Trump openly opposed the recognition during his recent state visit to the UK, highlighting the controversial and split nature of the international response.
The shift to Palestine’s perception comes after Israel showed a tentative will in July to abandon its long-standing approach that comes with ending the war in Gaza, working on peace and allowing for an increase in humanitarian aid. However, the situation in Gaza has only gotten worse as Israel is bolstering its military campaign and deepening its humanitarian crisis. The West Bank has also seen a surge in fatal violence, exacerbating conflict.
Historical context and co-injury
The formal recognition of British Palestine has been more than a century since the 1917 Balfour Declaration. The declaration is widely regarded as an important factor in the ethnic cleansing and displacement of the Palestinians in 1948, known as the Nakbah, and adds a heavy historical irony to this development.
The UK’s promotion of Zionist immigration during World War I and the country’s ongoing military support for Israel have been involved in a devastating war with Gaza, which has since October 2023 claims the lives of more than 65,000 Palestinians.
International Pressure Spurs Action
Palestine’s perception on Sunday is part of a broader, internationally coordinated effort.
The number of countries recognizing Palestine is expected to exceed 150 at the UN General Assembly in New York by the end of next week. France is scheduled to recognize the Palestinian province on Monday.
The UK’s move is promising, but it is clearly driven by protests against its support for Israel and growing public outrage. Fear of international court rulings about UK involvement in Israel’s war crimes is likely to contribute to this policy change. Similarly, Canada and Australia are Israeli long-distance supporters – appear to have been forced into this perception amid growing domestic dissent and anti-Israel protests.
Other European countries such as Spain, Ireland and Norway have already made similar moves in light of the Gaza War.
Once France has confirmed its recognition, the United States will stand as the sole permanent member of the UN Security Council, refusing to recognize Palestinian sovereignty.
Germany continues to be resistant, citing unmet conditions for recognition.
Symbolism vs. Matter
In the short term, this wave of awareness can be largely symbolic. All Palestinian territory is under deadly Israeli troops, and Israel continues to justify its devastating campaign in Gaza as “self-defense.” This has exacerbated the humanitarian catastrophe and led to immense death and destruction.
These perceptions could mark the beginning of a new chapter in international diplomacy regarding Palestine, but there is no end to the Israeli war and lifting up the siege of Gaza, where people face the threat of starvation and genocide, but the risk of gesture is no more than an attack of symbolic charm.
Nevertheless, this recognition shows how, despite Israeli oppression, the persistent strength and determined resistance forced even Israel’s traditional Western allies to produce meaningful diplomatic outcomes.