Britain Attempts to Correct Balfour’s Sin: What Britain and Allies’ Move Means for Palestine
Palestine is set to receive formal recognition from 10 new countries during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Among them are major powers such as Britain and France. With these recognitions, the number of states acknowledging Palestine will reach 159 out of 193 UN members.
Palestinian officials and analysts describe the step as historic. They see it as a political and legal shift that challenges Israel’s occupation and deepens its global isolation. At the same time, Israeli leaders have threatened retaliation through settlement expansion, annexation of the West Bank, and further fragmentation of Palestinian land.
Countries Joining the List
Palestinian Foreign Minister Farsin Shahin announced in Ramallah that Britain, Portugal, Australia, and Canada will recognize Palestine today. Luxembourg, San Marino, Belgium, Andorra, France, and Malta are expected to follow.
This comes two months after Saudi Arabia and France co-hosted a “Two-State Solution Conference” at the UN without US participation. Tomorrow, the UN will host a follow-up summit at the leadership level.
What the Recognition Means
Husam Zomlot, Palestine’s ambassador to the UK, described the move as historic.
“This is not just about Palestine. It is about Britain’s responsibility. Recognition ends decades of denial of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. But it is only a beginning. We must stop the genocide in Gaza, end ethnic cleansing in the West Bank, and end the unlawful occupation,” he said.
Mustafa Barghouthi, Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative, welcomed the decision.
“Britain, Canada, and Australia recognized the State of Palestine. Better late than never. But this is not enough. It must be tied to immediate sanctions on Israel to stop the genocide in Gaza and the settlers’ terror in the West Bank,” he said.
Researcher Ahmad Al-Hila also called the recognition an important step.
“It strips legitimacy from Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. It also deepens Israel’s global isolation because of its crimes in Gaza,” he explained.
Yet Al-Hila warned that recognition is not enough. “We now need immediate and harsh sanctions on Israel and its leaders. Without action, Israel will continue ignoring international positions.”
Analyst Liqa Makki said the move marks a major shift.
“These Commonwealth states historically supported Israel. Britain’s role in Israel’s creation is well-known. Their recognition now shows that Israel’s crimes have backfired, no matter how much land was taken from Palestinians,” he said.
