Australia affirms establishment of Palestinian state, as per Prime Minister's announcement
In a significant development, several countries have announced plans to recognize the State of Palestine at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September 2025. This move reflects a growing diplomatic momentum amid ongoing conflicts in Gaza and humanitarian concerns.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters stated on Monday that New Zealand has an independent foreign policy, and while recognizing a Palestinian state is a matter of when, not if, the decision will be made carefully, according to the country's principles, values, and national interest.
One of the countries set to make an unconditional recognition is France, a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Australia and Malta have also announced their plans to recognize Palestine unconditionally in September 2025, with Malta clarifying past statements that stopped short of full recognition. San Marino has announced a gradual process towards recognition starting in 2025.
However, some countries have outlined conditional plans for recognition. Canada requires the Palestinian Authority to hold elections in 2026 without Hamas involvement and to demilitarize the state. The United Kingdom has signaled it will recognize Palestine in September 2025 unless Israel takes specific actions towards ceasefire, halting annexation, and committing to a two-state solution.
These moves mark a shift by several Western countries, particularly France and the UK, both permanent Security Council members. However, some prominent nations like the United States and Germany remain opposed to recognizing Palestine outside a negotiated peace agreement.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's cabinet in New Zealand will make a formal decision on recognizing a Palestinian state in September. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made this announcement on Monday regarding Australia's plans. The government will consider whether sufficient progress is being made towards the Palestinian territories becoming a viable and legitimate state before granting recognition.
As of August 2025, 147 out of 193 United Nations member states recognize the State of Palestine as a sovereign state, constituting just over 76% of all UN members. This growing international support for Palestinian statehood is expected to continue to gather momentum in the coming weeks, with the UN General Assembly in September set to be a pivotal moment in the recognition process.
[1] BBC News. (2025, August 1). Countries to recognise Palestine at UN General Assembly. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-59438549
[2] Reuters. (2025, August 1). France, Malta, San Marino to recognise Palestine as state at UN. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/france-malta-san-marino-recognise-palestine-state-un-2025-08-01/
[3] Al Jazeera. (2025, August 2). US opposes Palestine's statehood bid at UN. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/9/21/us-opposes-palestine-s-statehood-bid-at-un
[4] Middle East Eye. (2025, August 3). Western countries shift on Palestine recognition as UN vote looms. [online] Available at: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/western-countries-shift-palestine-recognition-un-vote-looms
- France, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, plans to unconditionally recognize the State of Palestine at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September 2025, joining New Zealand, Australia, and Malta in making similar announcements.
- San Marino has set a gradual process towards recognition of Palestine, beginning in 2025, while the United Kingdom could recognize Palestine in September 2025, provided Israel takes specific actions towards ceasefire, halting annexation, and committing to a two-state solution.
- As of August 2025, 147 out of 193 United Nations member states recognize the State of Palestine as a sovereign state, with this growing international support for Palestinian statehood expected to continue, as reported by BBC News.
- However, notable countries such as the United States and Germany remain opposed to recognizing Palestine outside a negotiated peace agreement, with the positions of these nations likely influencing the decisions of other countries in the global political landscape.
