15 Nations push for Palestinian statehood as Israel rejects "reward for Hamas"
By isabelle // 2025-08-01
Copy
 
  • Fifteen nations, including Australia, Canada and France, demand Palestinian statehood recognition and a Gaza ceasefire, calling it vital for peace while urging Hamas to release hostages.
  • Israel and the U.S. strongly oppose the move, with Netanyahu labeling it a "reward for terrorism" and Trump threatening trade repercussions against Canada.
  • France and Britain signal plans to recognize Palestine at the UN in September unless Israel halts military operations in Gaza.
  • Canada conditions its recognition on Palestinian democratic reforms, sparking backlash from Israel and trade tensions with the U.S.
  • Gaza’s humanitarian crisis worsens amid ongoing violence, deepening global divisions as Western allies push for a two-state solution.
A group of 15 nations including Australia, Canada, France and Spain issued a joint statement late Tuesday demanding global recognition of Palestinian statehood and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The foreign ministers of these countries, gathered at a UN conference in New York, declared recognition of Palestine as an "essential step" toward peace, while calling for Hamas to release all hostages. The push, backed by 147 of the 193 UN member states, has drawn fierce backlash from Israel and the U.S., with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemning it as a "reward for terrorism." France has pledged to formally recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September, with Britain threatening to follow suit unless Israel halts its military campaign in Gaza. Meanwhile, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney announced similar plans, triggering a furious response from U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened to derail trade talks with Ottawa. As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens, the international divide over Palestinian statehood deepens, leaving Israel increasingly isolated.

A coordinated diplomatic push

The joint statement, signed by Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia and Spain, emphasized that recognizing Palestine is crucial for a two-state solution. "We… have already recognized, have expressed or express the willingness or the positive consideration of our countries to recognize the State of Palestine," the ministers declared. They also urged the unification of Gaza and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority in a direct challenge to Hamas’ control over the enclave. France, a key player in the initiative, has taken the lead, with President Emmanuel Macron stating that recognition would advance Middle East peace. The move has been met with sharp criticism from Washington and Tel Aviv, which argue that rewarding Palestinian statehood before securing Israel’s security guarantees undermines negotiations. Britain’s newly elected Prime Minister Keir Starmer added fuel to the fire, warning that the UK would recognize Palestine unless Israel takes "substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza." Netanyahu swiftly rejected the ultimatum, accusing Starmer of emboldening Hamas.

Canada’s controversial decision

Canada’s announcement on Wednesday marked a significant shift in its Middle East policy. Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that Ottawa would recognize Palestine at the UN in September, contingent on the Palestinian Authority committing to democratic reforms, including elections in 2026 without Hamas participation. "Canada has long been committed to a two-state solution," Carney said, stressing that a stable Palestinian state must coexist peacefully with Israel. The decision drew immediate backlash. Israel’s Foreign Ministry called it a "reward to Hamas," while Ambassador Iddo Moed warned that Israel "will not sacrifice our very existence by permitting the imposition of a jihadist state on our ancestral homeland." President Trump escalated tensions, writing on Truth Social: "Wow! Canada has just announced that it is backing statehood for Palestine. That will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them." His comments come amid delicate U.S.-Canada trade negotiations, with a looming August 1 deadline to avoid steep tariffs. The diplomatic push coincides with worsening conditions in Gaza, where more than 60,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed since October 2023, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. Israel’s blockade has triggered a starvation crisis, with aid deliveries frequently disrupted. On Wednesday, Gaza officials accused Israeli forces of firing on civilians seeking food, leaving at least 60 dead in a claim the IDF denied, as usual. The international outcry has intensified pressure on Israel, but Netanyahu remains defiant. "Israel will not bow to the distorted campaign of international pressure," Moed declared. Meanwhile, Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signaled support for recognition, stating, "What we’re looking at is the circumstances where recognition will advance the objective of the creation of two states." As Western nations rally behind Palestinian statehood, the U.S. and Israel stand increasingly isolated. The divide underscores a broader geopolitical shift, with traditional allies like France and Canada breaking ranks over what they see as an urgent moral and strategic imperative. Yet with Israel vowing to resist "rewarding terrorism," and Hamas still holding hostages, the path to peace remains challenging. The coming months — culminating in the UN General Assembly in September — will test whether diplomatic pressure can force a breakthrough or further entrench the conflict. Sources for this article include: RT.com CNN.com TheGuardian.com
Copy