Global Recognition of the Palestinian State: Which Countries Stand in Support

Norway, Spain, and Ireland have announced plans to recognize the State of Palestine, marking a notable shift in Western policy and reinvigorating the global push for Palestinian statehood amidst ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The move comes in the wake of Israel’s seven-month-long conflict in Gaza, prompting renewed international attention to the Palestinian cause.

While the Palestinian Authority reports that 142 out of 193 UN member countries already recognize Palestine, notable exceptions include the United States, Canada, most of Western Europe, Australia, Japan, and South Korea.

Also Read: Israel Recalls Ambassadors as Ireland Officially Recognizes Palestine

This recent development adds to the timeline of the Palestinians’ quest for statehood, which saw pivotal moments such as Yasser Arafat’s unilateral proclamation of independence in 1988 and efforts for UN recognition in 2011-2012. Sweden notably became the first Western European EU member to recognize a Palestinian state in 2014, sparking both support and controversy.

Here’s a Brief overview of the Palestinian journey towards statehood

1988: Arafat’s Declaration –

On November 15, 1988, during the initial Palestinian uprising known as the intifada, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat unilaterally declared an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. This declaration, made in Algiers during a session of the exiled Palestinian National Council, endorsed the two-state solution, envisioning independent Israeli and Palestinian states coexisting side by side.

Within weeks, Algeria became the first nation to officially recognize an independent Palestinian state, followed by numerous other countries, primarily from the Arab world, India, Turkey, most of Africa, and several central and eastern European nations.

• 2011-2012: Pursuit of UN Recognition –

In 2011, amid stalled peace negotiations, Palestinians pursued full UN membership for the State of Palestine. Although this endeavour faced failure, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) made history on October 31 of that year by granting full membership to the Palestinians. This decision provoked strong reactions from Israel and the United States, leading them to suspend funding to UNESCO, and eventually withdraw from the organization in 2018 (although the US later rejoined).

In November 2012, the Palestinian flag was ceremoniously raised at the United Nations headquarters in New York after the General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to elevate the Palestinians to the status of “non-member observer state.” Three years later, the International Criminal Court recognized Palestine as a state party.

• 2014: Sweden’s Initiative in Western Europe –

In 2014, Sweden, home to a substantial Palestinian diaspora, became the first Western European EU member to formally recognize the State of Palestine. This move, prompted by ongoing clashes in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, set a precedent followed by six other European nations: Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Romania.

Israel vehemently opposed Sweden’s decision, with then-Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman criticizing the move by comparing it to the assembly of furniture from IKEA.

• 2024: Renewed Momentum in Europe –

Recent escalations in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly Israel’s protracted offensive in Gaza resulting in significant casualties, and have reignited support for Palestinian statehood in Europe. Norway, Spain, and Ireland have announced plans to formally recognize a Palestinian state by May 28, despite objections from Israel, which recalled its envoys from these countries for consultations.

Furthermore, Malta and Slovenia expressed willingness in March to recognize Palestine under appropriate circumstances, while Australia has also contemplated unilateral recognition.

French President Emmanuel Macron has emphasized that recognizing a Palestinian state without prior negotiation for peace is no longer considered taboo in France.

Numerous countries have recognized the State of Palestine. Some of these include:

1. Afghanistan
2. Algeria
3. Angola
4. Argentina
5. Bangladesh
6. Bolivia
7. Brazil
8. Brunei
9. Chile
10. China
11. Colombia
12. Costa Rica
13. Cuba
14. Ecuador
15. Egypt
16. India
17. Indonesia
18. Iran
19. Iraq
20. Japan
21. Jordan
22. Kazakhstan
23. Kuwait
24. Lebanon
25. Libya
26. Malaysia
27. Maldives
28. Mauritania
29. Mexico
30. Morocco
31. Nicaragua
32. Nigeria
33. North Korea
34. Norway
35. Oman
36. Pakistan
37. Paraguay
38. Peru
39. Philippines
40. Qatar
41. Russia
42. Saudi Arabia
43. Senegal
44. Singapore
45. Somalia
46. South Africa
47. South Korea
48. Spain
49. Sri Lanka
50. Sudan
51. Syria
52. Tunisia
53. Turkey
54. United Arab Emirates
55. Uruguay
56. Venezuela
57. Vietnam
58. Yemen
59. Ireland