UK, Australia, Canada recognise Palestinian state

Britain, Canada and Australia all recognised a Palestinian state on Sunday in a move borne out of frustration over the Gaza war and intended to promote a two-state solution but which is also bound to anger Israel and its main ally, the United States, report agencies.

Portugal was also to recognise Palestinian statehood later Sunday, as Israel came under huge international pressure over the war in Gaza triggered almost two years ago by the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.

The nations' decision aligned them with about 140 other countries which also back Palestinians' aspiration to forge an independent homeland from the Israeli-occupied territories.

Some prominent Western countries prepare to recognise Palestinian statehood at the gathering of world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly on Monday. They include France, Malta, Belgium and Luxembourg.