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Britain, Australia, Canada recognize Palestinian state
The three nations' decision aligned them with about 140 other countries which also back Palestinians' aspiration to forge an independent homeland from the Israeli-occupied territories.
Britain's decision carried particular symbolic weight given its major role in creation of the Israeli regime in the aftermath of World War Two.
"Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a two-state solution, the United Kingdom formally recognizes the State of Palestine," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on X.
Other nations, including France, are expected to follow suit this week at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin welcomed countries recognizing a Palestinian state.
"It is a move bringing us closer to sovereignty and independence. It might not end the war tomorrow, but it's a move forward, which we need to build on and amplify," she said. However, Israel's foreign ministry said it rejected what it called the "one-sided" recognition of a Palestinian state, warning that the move could further destabilize the region. "Israel categorically rejects the one-sided declaration of the recognition of a Palestinian state made by the United Kingdom and some other countries...This declaration does not promote peace, but on the contrary further destabilizes the region and undermines the chances of achieving a peaceful solution in the future," the ministry said in a statement.
Western governments have been under pressure from many in their parties and populations angry at the ever-rising death toll in Gaza and images of starving children.
Israel's ensuing campaign in Gaza has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to Gazan health authorities, and has spread famine, demolished most buildings and displaced most of the population - in many cases multiple times. "Canada recognizes the State of Palestine and offers our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel," Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Sunday. Israel’s hardline minister Ben-Gvir said he would propose at the next cabinet meeting to apply sovereignty in the West Bank - de facto annexation of land Israel seized in a 1967 war. He also said the Western-backed Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank, should be dismantled.