Britain, Canada and Australia all recognized a Palestinian state on Sunday in a move borne out of frustration over the Gaza war and intended to promote a two-state solution, prompting a furious response from Israel. The decision by three major Western nations, which have been traditional allies of Israel, aligned them with about 140 other countries also backing Palestinians’ aspiration to forge an independent homeland from the Israeli-occupied territories. Britain’s decision carried particular symbolism given its major role in Israel’s creation as a modern nation in the aftermath of World War. Other nations, including France, are expected to follow suit this week at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the move, calling it a “huge reward to terrorism” in light of Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and led to 251 hostages being taken. He declared that “a Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan River.”
