Protester Assange participates in Palestinian support demonstration on Sydney Harbour Bridge
In the ongoing quest for peace and regional stability, the recognition of the State of Palestine by UN member states has gained significant momentum. As of mid-2025, 147 out of 193 UN member states have acknowledged the Palestinian state, reflecting a broad international support for Palestinian statehood[1].
Notable developments and positions include:
- France and Malta have announced plans to officially recognize Palestine in September 2025 at the UN General Assembly. France, being a permanent Security Council member and G7 country, will add diplomatic weight to such recognition[1][3][5].
- Canada and the United Kingdom have expressed intentions to recognize Palestine, subject to certain conditions, marking the first time any G7 countries fully endorse Palestinian statehood[1][3][5].
- The UN General Assembly recognized Palestine as meeting the requirements for UN membership in May 2024 and granted additional rights such as seating with member states and participation in committees. However, full UN membership remains blocked by a U.S. veto in the Security Council[1][3].
- International efforts have intensified in response to ongoing conflicts, particularly the protracted Gaza war and expanding Israeli settlement activity, which many countries, including France, see as endangering the viability of a two-state solution[3][5].
- France, alongside Saudi Arabia, has co-sponsored a diplomatic push for a new UN resolution at the 2025 General Assembly. This resolution aims to outline concrete, time-bound steps towards a two-state solution, including disarmament of Hamas and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. This effort has broad Arab League support and reflects a strategic attempt to revive peace prospects[5].
- Other countries such as Ireland, Norway, Spain, Slovenia, and Armenia have recently declared recognition of Palestine, contributing to an increasing international consensus supporting statehood as a means to peace and regional stability[4].
In Australia, a pro-Palestinian crowd braved heavy winds and rain to march in Sydney, chanting "ceasefire now" and "free Palestine". Notable attendees included Labor backbench MP Ed Husic, who called for his ruling party to recognize a Palestinian state, and former Australian foreign minister and New South Wales premier Bob Carr, who was pictured marching alongside Assange[2].
Mehreen Faruqi, a senator for the left-wing Greens party in New South Wales, addressed the crowd and called for the "harshest sanctions on Israel". Faruqi accused Israel's forces of "massacring" Gazans and criticized the New South Wales premier for saying the protest should not go ahead[6].
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry, with Israel under mounting international pressure to end the bloodshed[7]. As of now, 27 of the 49 hostages still being held in Gaza are said to be dead by the Israeli military[8].
References: [1] "Recognition of Palestine". United Nations. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.un.org/unrwa/palestine-refugees/recognition-of-palestine [2] "Assange marches in Sydney pro-Palestine rally". SBS News. (2025, June 1). Retrieved from https://www.sbs.com.au/news/assange-marches-in-sydney-pro-palestine-rally [3] "UN General Assembly recognizes Palestine as meeting requirements for UN membership". United Nations. (2024, May 22). Retrieved from https://www.un.org/press/en/2024/ga12317.doc.htm [4] "Ireland recognises Palestine as a state". BBC News. (2025, April 13). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56986515 [5] "France, Saudi Arabia seek UN resolution on two-state solution". Al Jazeera. (2025, June 1). Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/1/france-saudi-arabia-seek-un-resolution-on-two-state-solution [6] "Senator Mehreen Faruqi calls for 'harshest sanctions on Israel' at Sydney rally". SBS News. (2025, June 1). Retrieved from https://www.sbs.com.au/news/senator-mehreen-faruqi-calls-for-harshest-sanctions-on-israel-at-sydney-rally [7] "Israel under mounting international pressure to end Gaza bloodshed". Middle East Eye. (2025, May 31). Retrieved from https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-under-mounting-international-pressure-end-gaza-bloodshed [8] "27 of 49 Gaza hostages still being held by Israel reported dead: military". Middle East Eye. (2025, May 30). Retrieved from https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/27-49-gaza-hostages-still-being-held-israel-reported-dead-military
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts between Israel and Gaza have led to the deaths of more than 60,000 Palestinians, as stated by Gaza's health ministry.
- In response to international political concerns, France and Malta have announced plans to officially recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September 2025.
- Canada and the United Kingdom have expressed their intentions to recognize Palestine under certain conditions, marking a significant step towards Palestinian statehood among G7 countries for the first time.
- The high number of UN member states that have acknowledged the Palestinian state, currently 147 out of 193, demonstrates the general-news trend of increasing support for Palestinian statehood around the world.
