Which countries recognise Palestine? Understanding what statehood recognition means

Dubai: A diplomatic fault line is widening at the heart of the West.

In a matter of days, four of America’s closest allies — France, Britain, Canada and Australia — have moved to recognise Palestinian statehood, shattering decades of hesitation and threatening to leave Washington as the last major holdout.

If Britain and France follow through, they would become the first permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, apart from China and Russia, to do so — a symbolic blow to US influence on the issue. Supporters say this is a calculated push to revive the long-stalled two-state solution and force Israel towards a cease-fire; critics argue it rewards violence. Here’s what’s at stake.

What does it mean to “recognise” Palestinian statehood?

Recognition is a political act by one state acknowledging the sovereignty of another. Under international law — specifically the Montevideo Convention of 1933 — a state should have a permanent population, defined territory, functioning government and the ability to conduct international relations. While recognition is not a legal requirement for statehood, it shapes diplomatic relations, trade, and international standing.

How many countries already recognise Palestine?

 Out of 193 United Nations member states, 147 already recognise Palestine as a state. It currently has Permanent Observer status at the UN, not full membership. Recognition by more Western powers, especially influential economies and UN Security Council members, would be a symbolic but powerful shift in the balance of global diplomacy.

• Here’s the list of countries that recognise Palestine — from 1988 to 2025

• Planned for September 2025
  Australia, Canada, France, Malta, Portugal, United Kingdom

• 2024
  Armenia, Barbados, Ireland, Jamaica, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, The Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago

• 2023
  Mexico

• 2019
  Saint Kitts and Nevis

• 2018
  Colombia

• 2015
  Saint Lucia, Vatican

• 2014
  Sweden

• 2013
  Guatemala, Haiti

• 2012
  Thailand

• 2011
  Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Dominica, El Salvador, Grenada, Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, Lesotho, Liberia, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Uruguay

• 2010
  Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador

• 2009
  Dominican Republic, Venezuela

• 2008
  Costa Rica, Ivory Coast, Lebanon

• 2006
  Montenegro

• 2004
  East Timor

• 1998
  Malawi

• 1995
  Kyrgyzstan, Papua New Guinea, South Africa

• 1994
  Tajikistan, Uzbekistan

• 1992
  Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan

• 1991
  Swaziland

• 1989
  Benin, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Philippines, Rwanda, Vanuatu

• 1988
  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, Botswana, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Laos, Libya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Republic of Congo, Serbia, Romania, Russia, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Tanzania, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Which countries have recently announced recognition plans?

Since late July: France — Recognition planned in September. Britain — Will proceed if Israel fails to agree to a Gaza ceasefire by September. Canada — Ties final decision to political changes within the Palestinian Authority. Australia — Will recognise Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September. These join European nations like Spain, Ireland, and Norway, which recognised Palestine in 2024. Among G20 countries, recognition would rise from 10 to 14 if these four proceed.

Why is this happening now?

Analysts say frustration over Israel’s conduct of the Gaza war — which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and left two million in dire conditions — has reached a tipping point. Leaders accuse the Netanyahu government of undermining the two-state solution by expanding illegal settlements, threatening annexation of occupied land, and opposing Palestinian sovereignty outright.

What would recognition actually change?

Symbolically, it boosts Palestine’s international legitimacy. Practically, it could increase pressure on Israel in diplomatic forums, influence trade, aid, and international cooperation with Palestinian institutions, and strengthen Palestine’s position in negotiations. However, recognition alone does not grant Palestine full UN membership — that requires Security Council approval, which the US can veto and has done in the past.

Why is the United States the key obstacle?

As a permanent Security Council member, Washington holds veto power over UN resolutions granting Palestine full membership. Last year, the US blocked such a bid despite 12 members voting in favour. Britain and Switzerland abstained.

How is Israel responding?

Israel condemns the recognition drive, arguing it rewards Hamas for what it calls “acts of terror.” Officials insist that any move towards Palestinian statehood must come through direct negotiations, not unilateral diplomatic recognition.