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The announcements came on the eve of the annual gathering of the U.N. General Assembly.
Sept. 21, 2025, 9:16 a.m. ET
Britain, Canada and Australia confirmed on Sunday that they now formally recognize Palestinian statehood, piling pressure on Israel to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza but putting three major Western allies at odds with the Trump administration.
The seemingly coordinated announcements came on the eve of the annual gathering of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, at which France and Portugal are also expected to vote for recognition of Palestinian statehood.
The concerted action will deepen the diplomatic isolation of Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. But so far, it has done little to curb his military campaign against Hamas, which has killed tens of thousands of people in Gaza and left much of the enclave in ruins.
Britain’s prime minister, Keir Starmer, waited to act until after President Trump’s state visit last week to Britain, during which Mr. Trump said he disagreed with the move, preferring to focus on securing the release of the hostages held by Hamas militants.
“I have a disagreement with the prime minister on that score,” Mr. Trump said at a news conference with Mr. Starmer on Thursday, although he added, “One of our few disagreements, actually.”
When Mr. Starmer announced Britain’s plans in late July, he said a final decision would hinge on multiple conditions. Israel, he said, must address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, sign up to a cease-fire agreement with Hamas to secure the release of hostages, and pursue long-term peace with the Palestinians, based on a two-state solution.
