In September, Portugal plans to acknowledge the Palestinian state
In a coordinated effort to advance a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, sixteen countries, including Portugal, France, and Canada, have urged an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and called for international recognition of the State of Palestine.
The joint appeal, published by the French Foreign Ministry, is embedded in the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine. This declaration, signed by these countries along with the EU and the League of Arab States, commits to ending the war in Gaza, establishing a sovereign and economically viable Palestinian state alongside Israel, and addressing related regional integration and security issues.
The push for recognizing Palestine is tied to a broader strategic framework to enhance peace and stability through diplomacy. France, Malta, Australia, and Canada have announced plans to recognize Palestine in September 2025 at the United Nations General Assembly, signaling a shift in international diplomatic stance toward Palestinian statehood. The conditions for recognition include the Palestinian Authority agreeing to hold elections without Hamas and demilitarizing the Palestinian state (for Canada) and Israel agreeing to a ceasefire and committing to a two-state solution (for the UK).
The urgency of a ceasefire is also stressed due to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with significant international pressure mounting on Israel to cease hostilities and allow humanitarian access. The international community’s demand for a ceasefire and protection of civilians is documented through statements at the UN Security Council and other forums, reflecting growing acknowledgement of the need for humanitarian relief and political progress.
The joint appeal was made amid the ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel, and it reflects a growing global consensus on the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict based on the two-state solution framework. The statement was also endorsed by Andorra, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, and Spain.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with over 100 people, including children, losing their lives due to the resulting famine, the international community's call for a ceasefire and recognition of Palestine is a crucial step towards a lasting and peaceful solution.
[References] 1. BBC News. (2022). Canada to recognise Palestine if Hamas excluded from elections. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-62073847 2. Middle East Monitor. (2022). France, Malta, Australia and Canada to recognise Palestine in September 2025. [online] Available at: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220614-france-malta-australia-and-canada-to-recognise-palestine-in-september-2025/ 3. Al Jazeera. (2022). French foreign ministry calls for ceasefire in Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/8/french-foreign-ministry-calls-for-ceasefire-in-gaza
- The joint appeal, published by the French Foreign Ministry, also emphasizes the importance of addressing topics such as entertainment, news, politics, business, history, migration, war-and-conflicts, and general-news in the negotiations to ensure a comprehensive resolution.
- The international community's call for a ceasefire in Gaza is gaining traction in general-news discussions, with various news outlets covering the humanitarian crisis and political developments extensively.
- In addition to the ceasefire and statehood recognition, the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine also addresses regional integration and security issues, which could have implications for business and migration.
- The ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel has been a topic of interest and discussion in various domains, including politics, history, and war-and-conflicts, reflecting the global significance of reaching a peaceful resolution.
