Majority of United Nations Member States Back Proposal for Palestinian Nationhood
The State of Palestine has seen significant recognition from United Nations (UN) member states in recent years, with 147 countries now acknowledging its existence. This represents over 76% of global recognition, a milestone in the long-standing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
The journey towards recognition began in 1974, when the UN General Assembly Resolution 3236 recognised the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and national sovereignty, granting the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) observer status at the UN. However, it was not until 1988 that Yasser Arafat unilaterally proclaimed an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, which was followed by many developing countries recognising Palestine as a state.
In the 1980s and 1990s, recognition remained primarily among developing countries and non-Western states, with many Western countries withholding recognition despite supporting a two-state solution in principle. This trend began to change in the 2010s and 2020s, with South American countries such as Argentina, Brazil, and Chile recognising the Palestinians' statehood claims in response to Israel's decision to end a temporary ban on Jewish settlement-building in the occupied West Bank.
The pace of recognition accelerated further in 2025, with France, the UK, and Canada announcing their intentions to recognise Palestine. France confirmed its intention to recognise Palestine unconditionally at the UN General Assembly session, marking a significant shift as France is a major Western democracy and a permanent UN Security Council member. Australia and the UK also plan to recognise Palestine but with some conditions attached.
On July 28, 2025, a high-level UN conference on the Two-State Solution was held to revive political processes and concretize steps toward Palestinian statehood based on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital. This conference signalled renewed international efforts to advance the two-state solution, which has long been the international community's preferred resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In summary, the early wave of recognition started among developing countries post-1988 declaration. Over time, a broad majority of UN members recognised Palestine, culminating in a notable diplomatic momentum by mid-2025 involving key Western countries planning formal recognition at the forthcoming UN General Assembly session. This shift in international attitudes reflects renewed efforts to advance the two-state solution and bring peace to the Middle East.
[1] UN General Assembly Resolution 3236 (1974) [2] France to Recognise Palestine, Marking a Shift in Western Attitudes (The Guardian, 2025) [3] High-Level UN Conference on the Two-State Solution (UN News, 2025) [4] Recognition of Palestine by Western Countries (Palestine Chronicle, 2025) [5] Canada, UK, and Australia to Recognise Palestine with Conditions (BBC News, 2025)
- Despite the increasing recognition of Palestine, discussions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict still extend to other international topics, such as sports, food, and general news, reflecting the global community's ongoing interest.
- In the midst of political updates on Palestine, health matters also remain a point of focus for numerous nations, with UN member states collaborating on initiatives to improve the wellbeing of Palestinians and cultivate a more sustainable future.
- Beyond political affairs, the dynamics of Palestinian statehood have sparked curiosity in the realm of news, prompting journalists to report on the latest developments in Palestine alongside international political events, including those related to politics and economics.
