The decision by countries such as Britain, Australia, Canada and Portugal to officially recognize the state of Palestine has sparked strong reactions from the United States and Israel.
A US State Department spokesman described the recognition as a “performance” move with no real impact on the peace process. “Our focus remains on serious diplomacy, not on gestures for show. Our priorities are clear: the release of the hostages, the security of Israel, and sustainable peace in the region, which is not possible with Hamas in power,” the spokesman said.
This development represents a historic shift in the stance of some of Washington's closest allies, after decades of support for a negotiated two-state solution.
Israel's reaction was equally harsh. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that a Palestinian state "will never exist," describing the recognition as an "absurd reward for terrorism" and a threat to Israel's existence.
Meanwhile, in the Gaza Strip, Palestinians welcomed the recognition as a symbolic victory in their quest for statehood and international recognition. More than 140 United Nations member states have already recognized the Palestinian state, and France is expected to follow suit during discussions at the UN General Assembly in New York.
