Palestinian state

September 23, 2025 3:52 PM

Recognition of Palestinian state offers no relief for traumatised Gazans

Israel's military pushed deeper towards the most populated areas of Gaza City on Tuesday, a painful reminder for Gazans that Western powers' recognition of a Palestinian state does not mean an end to the horrors of war as tanks approach. Israel pressed on with its Gaza offensive a day after dozens of world leaders gathered at the United Nations to embrace a Palestinian state, a landmark diplomatic shift after nearly two years of war that faces fierce resistance from Israel and its close ally th...

September 22, 2025 4:30 PM

World summit to meet on two-state solution as support grows for Palestinian state

France and Saudi Arabia will convene dozens of world leaders on Monday to rally support for a two-state solution, with several of them expected to formally recognise a Palestinian state - a move that could draw harsh Israeli and U.S. responses. While the summit could boost the morale of Palestinians, it is not expected to deliver change on the ground, where the most far-right government in Israel's history has declared there will be no Palestinian state as it pushes on with its war against Hama...

September 2, 2025 10:14 AM

Belgium to recognise Palestinian state at UN General Assembly

Belgium will recognise a Palestinian state at the U.N. General Assembly, Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said on Tuesday, adding to international pressure on Israel after similar moves by Australia, Britain, Canada and France. Under mounting global criticism for its war in Gaza, Israel has been angered by the pledges to formally recognise a Palestinian state at a summit during this month's U.N. event. Belgium will join the signatories of the New York Declaration, paving the way for a two-state ...

August 20, 2025 10:02 PM

Israel approves settlement plan to ‘erase’ idea of Palestinian state

A widely condemned Israeli settlement plan that would cut across land which the Palestinians seek for a state received final approval on Wednesday, according to a statement from Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The approval of the E1 project, which would bisect the occupied West Bank and cut it off from East Jerusalem, was announced last week by Smotrich and received final go-ahead from a defence ministry planning commission on Wednesday, he said. Restarting the project ...

July 25, 2025 9:27 AM

French plan to recognise Palestinian state draws fire from Israel, US

France intends to recognise a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations General Assembly, President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday in hopes of bringing peace to the region, but the plan drew angry rebukes from Israel and the United States. Macron, who unveiled the decision on X, published a letter sent to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas confirming France's intention to press ahead with Palestinian recognition and work to convincing other partners to follow suit. "Tru...

June 5, 2024 11:14 AM

Slovenian Parliament approves recognition of an independent Palestinian state

The Slovenian Parliament approved the recognition of an independent Palestinian state with a majority vote on Tuesday (June 4), following in the steps of Spain, Ireland and Norway. Of the 27 members of the European Union, Sweden, Cyprus, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria have already recognised a Palestinian state. Malta has said it could follow soon. Israel has repeatedly condemned moves to recognize a Palestinian state, saying they bolster Hamas, the militan...

May 28, 2024 5:24 PM

Ireland officially recognises Palestinian state

Ireland officially recognised a Palestinian state on Tuesday, the government said in a statement, defying Israel which had condemned the plan. The government approved the recognition in a cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning. "The Government recognises Palestine as a sovereign and independent state and agreed to establish full diplomatic relations between Dublin and Ramallah," the statement said. "An Ambassador of Ireland to the State of Palestine will be appointed along with a full Embassy of ...

May 28, 2024 11:10 AM

Spain, Ireland, Norway set to recognise Palestinian statehood

Spain, Ireland and Norway will officially recognise a Palestinian state on Tuesday, despite an angry reaction from Israel, which has found itself increasingly isolated after seven months of conflict in Gaza. About 144 of the 193 member-states of the United Nations recognise a Palestinian state, including most of the global south, Russia, China and India. Madrid, Dublin and Oslo have painted their decision as a way to accelerate efforts to secure a ceasefire in Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza. ...