The United Kingdom, Canada, Portugal, and Australia have joined over 140 UN member states in recognizing Palestine as a state.
On September 22, 2025, several countries recognized Palestine as a state. France made the announcement at a UN meeting focused on advancing a two-state solution. A day earlier, the UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal had also declared that they recognise Palestine as a state.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron told the UN General Assembly that recognition was the only path for Israel and Palestine to coexist peacefully and described it as a setback for Hamas.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the situation in Gaza “intolerable” and reiterated that a two-state solution remained the only viable path to peace. He emphasized that Palestinian statehood is a right, not a concession, and warned that without it, peace in the region would remain out of reach.
Understanding State Recognition Under International Law
According to the 1933 Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States, four criteria define statehood:
- Permanent population
- Defined territory
- Government
- Capacity to enter into relations with other states
Palestine meets all these criteria, despite occupation challenges. The Palestinian Authority functions as a government, Palestinians constitute a permanent population with identity, and the territories represent a political unit capable of international relations.
Two-State Solution for Israel-Palestine Conflict
Understanding the Framework
The two-state solution envisions an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, with Palestine established in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem—territories Israel captured in the 1967 Six-Day War.
This internationally backed approach represents the most widely supported framework for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The concept originated from the 1947 UN partition plan, which proposed dividing British-ruled Palestine into Arab and Jewish states.
Jewish leaders accepted the plan, but Arab nations rejected it. The modern two-state solution became prominent with the 1993 Oslo Accords. In this agreement, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) recognized Israel's right to exist. In return, Israel agreed to establish the Palestinian Authority. This was meant to be a step toward a Palestinian state.
United Nations and State Recognition
The UN General Assembly has passed numerous resolutions supporting Palestinian statehood and the two-state solution, reflecting international opinion. In 2024, India voted in favor of the 'New York Declaration', demonstrating broad international consensus on Palestinian statehood.
Palestine holds "Permanent Observer State" status at the United Nations, not full membership. This status was granted in 2012 following a UN General Assembly resolution that passed with 138 votes in favor, 9 against, and 41 abstentions.
However, observer status falls short of full UN membership, which requires Security Council recommendation and General Assembly approval. The United States has consistently indicated it would veto any Palestinian membership bid in the Security Council.
India's Position on Palestinian Statehood
India's stance on Palestine state recognition reflects its foreign policy evolution. India was among the first countries to recognize Palestinian statehood in 1988, rooted in its anti-colonial solidarity and Non-Aligned Movement commitments.
Historical Support for Palestine
India's support for Palestinian statehood has deep roots:
- 1974: India became the first non-Arab state to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole representative of the Palestinian people.
- 1988: India was among the first countries to recognize the State of Palestine following its declaration by the PLO.
- UNRWA Support: India has consistently contributed to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees.
De-hyphenation Policy
The Indian government has adopted a "de-hyphenation" policy, treating relationships with Israel and Palestine as separate engagements.
This policy shift was driven by strategic considerations:
- Defense Cooperation: India became Israel's largest weapons buyer, with bilateral defense trade exceeding billions of dollars annually.
- Technology Transfer: Cooperation in areas including cybersecurity, water management, and agricultural technology expanded under the new framework.
- Economic Partnership: In September 2025, India and Israel signed a bilateral investment deal to boost trade and investment ties.
Challenges and Future Implications
Fragmented Palestinian Leadership
The Fatah-led Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza remain divided, with the recent conflict exacerbating these divisions. Issues like Jerusalem's status, Palestinian refugee rights, and security arrangements remain unresolved after failed negotiations.
The most pressing challenge to effective Palestine state recognition remains the political division between the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and Hamas administration in Gaza. Any viable Palestinian state requires unified, representative governance.
Israeli Unilateral Actions
The Israeli government has threatened to accelerate settlement expansion and potentially annex West Bank territories in response to international recognition. Such actions would render a contiguous Palestinian state geographically impossible.
Path Forward
The wave of Palestine state recognition represents more than symbolic diplomacy; it signals international determination to preserve the two-state solution framework. However, translating recognition into change requires:
- Policy Measures: Moving beyond symbolism to implement trade restrictions, settlement product boycotts, and diplomatic consequences for violations of international law.
- Unified Palestinian Governance: Supporting efforts to bridge the Palestine Authorities (PA)-Hamas divide and establish credible, representative Palestinian leadership.
- International Accountability: Ensuring all parties face consequences for actions that undermine peace prospects.
Conclusion
The Palestine state recognition by Western nations marks a moment in Middle East diplomacy. While these recognitions face implementation challenges, they represent international consensus that waiting for a negotiated settlement is no longer viable given realities.
The success of this diplomatic initiative depends on whether the international community can translate recognition into actions that address root causes of the conflict. The two-state solution remains the path to peace, but its realization requires international commitment beyond declarations.
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Recognition of Palestine as a State FAQs
1. What UN status does Palestine currently hold?
Ans. As of September 2025, the State of Palestine is recognized as a sovereign state by over 140 member states of the United Nations.
2. When did Palestine receive UN observer status?
Ans. 2012
3. What are the four criteria for statehood under international law?
Ans. Permanent population, defined territory, government, and capacity for international relations.
4. Which country was first to recognize PLO in 1974?
Ans. India.
5. Which policy does India follow regarding Israel and Palestine relations?
Ans. De-hyphenation policy.