The United Kingdom and Portugal are to officially recognize the state of Palestine on Sunday, despite pressures from the United States and Israel, before the arrival of world leaders at the UN General Assembly.
Great Britain will recognize Palestine PHOTO: AFP
More and more countries close to Israel have taken this symbolic step in recent months, as the Israeli offensive of the Gaza strip has intensified, triggered by the major attack of the Hamas group on Israel in 2023.
At the Monday summit, co -president by France and Saudi Arabia and dedicated to the future of the two -state solution, about ten countries are expected to officially confirm the recognition of the Palestinian state.
The decision of the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom, a close ally of Israel, will officially announce the recognition on Sunday, according to the British press. Prime Minister Keir Starmer had declared since July that his country will recognize the state of Palestine at the UN General Assembly, if Israel will not comply with a number of commitments, including a ceasefire in Gaza.
Observing the deterioration of the situation, Starmer is about to confirm the decision on Sunday, according to The Guardian. The British prime minister claims that the measure would contribute to an authentic peace process. In reply, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused of rewarding “Monstrous terrorism”.
Portugal's position
The Portuguese Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday that Portugal “will recognize the state of Palestine ” Sunday, September 21, according to the BBC. At the end of July, Lisbon had announced this decision as a result of “The extremely worrying evolution of the conflict, both at the humanitarian level and by repeated references to a possible annexation of the Palestinian territories”.
British Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, who will represent the United Kingdom at the UN General Assembly, said: “The recognition of a Palestinian state is a consequence of the serious expansion we observe in the Westordan, the violence of the colonists and the intentions expressed in the E1 project, which would seriously undermine the possibility of a solution with two states.”.
The E1 project, approved by the Israeli government, provides for the construction of 3,400 homes in the Westordan and was criticized by the UN because it would divide the Palestinian territory and prevent the creation of a Palestinian state with territorial continuity.
Lammy emphasized: “As for a what is happening in Gaza… We need to see the issued hostages. There can be absolutely no place for Hamas ”.
Currently, about three quarters of the 193 UN Member States recognize the Palestinian state proclaimed by the Palestinian leadership in exile in 1988.
