The United Kingdom and Portugal to announce recognition of Palestinian state

The United Kingdom is expected to recognise a Palestinian state later Sunday despite opposition from the US, after judging that Israel has not met conditions it set over the war in Gaza.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, who was foreign secretary until earlier this month, said an announcement on the recognition of a Palestinian state will be made by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Portugal also announced it would recognise a Palestinian State on Sunday. The announcement is scheduled for 9:15pm CET and will be made by Paulo Rangel ahead of the United Nations (UN) High Level Conference, taking place on Monday in New York.

The government's decision has the "full support" of the President of the Republic, who "was involved throughout the entire process." Upon arrival in New York, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa told public service broadcaster RTP that Portugal "has always upheld this principle, under every president, and with every government."

A Trump administration source told The Times of Israel that Australia will also announce its unilateral recognition of the Palestinian state on Sunday ahead of the UN General Assembly.

Canberra would be the third Western country to take this step today, along with the UK and Portugal.

The Israeli newspaper wrote that the Trump administration tried to dissuade the Australian government. "We told them it wouldn't help," said the same source, adding that Australia justified the move with "clear internal considerations".

The US president has shown opposition to countries recognising the Palestinian state. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that Israel could respond "reciprocally" by annexing the West Bank.

Other nations, including France, Canada, Luxembourg, Malta and Belgium are also expected to recognise a Palestinian state.

France as the first G7 nation to recognise a Palestinian state

More than 140 countries have already taken the step to recognise a Palestinian state, but the decisions by France and Britain are significant as they are both members of the Group of Seven and the UN Security Council.

"Given the extreme urgency of the situation in Gaza and across the Palestinian territories, I reiterated to President Abbas my intention to recognize the State of Palestine on Monday in New York," France's President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X on Friday.

"This recognition is part of a comprehensive peace plan for the region, aimed at meeting the aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians for security and peace," Macron added.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said Belgium is preparing to recognise the Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly session, hoping to increase international pressure on Israel.

"Palestine will be recognised by Belgium during the UN session! And firm sanctions are being imposed on the Israeli government," Prevot announced in a post on X earlier this month.

Other countries to follow suit, including Belguim and Australia

The top Belgian diplomat revealed that the government will apply 12 sanctions on Israel, following the "humanitarian tragedy in Palestine" and in response to the violence perpetrated by Israel in violation of international law. "Belgium had to take strong decisions to increase pressure on the Israeli government," said Prévot.

The UK will also do so, despite strong pressure from President Trump during his visit to London. Starmer said he raised the issue with Donald Trump "because the situation in Gaza is intolerable" and therefore "the question of recognition has to be analysed".

However, Donald Trump said he disagreed with Starmer "on that point", emphasising that the priority is the release of the hostages still held by Hamas.

Israel has contested the recognition of the Palestinian state with these countries, through consular posts, saying that such a gesture is a reward to Hamas.

On the other hand, the Palestinian Authority (PA) welcomed Portugal's decision to recognise the State of Palestine and its ambassador to Portugal, welcomed the government's recognition as a "courageous and historic step".

"Portugal's decision to recognise the State of Palestine is a courageous step to support and reward global peace efforts," said the ambassador, in a comment to Portuguese news Agency, Lusa.