Historic day for the state of Palestine, following its official recognition by Canada and Australia. These are the first G-7 countries to officially recognize the Palestinian state. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made the announcement today, Sunday (21/09), stating: “Canada recognizes the state of Palestine and offers its cooperation in building a peaceful future for both the state of Palestine and the state of Israel.”
Britain recognizes the state of Palestine: Starmer’s announcement
Immediately after, Britain also announced its official recognition of the state of Palestine. “Today, to rekindle hope for peace between Palestinians and Israelis and for a two-state solution, the United Kingdom officially recognizes the State of Palestine,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in an announcement. Specifically, the British Prime Minister stated in the announcement he published on social media: “Faced with the growing horror in the Middle East, we are acting to keep alive the possibility of peace and a two-state solution. This means a secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state – right now we have neither,” while adding that the moment for recognizing Palestinian statehood “has now arrived.” “So today, to revive hope for peace and a two-state solution, I declare clearly, as Prime Minister of this great country, that the United Kingdom officially recognizes the state of Palestine,” Starmer said. He then revealed that he has met British families of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and saw “the torture they endure every day” and the pain that strikes deep in the hearts of people in Israel and the United Kingdom. The hostages must be released immediately, the British Prime Minister said, adding that “we will continue to fight to bring them back home.”
Starmer: “This solution is not a reward for Hamas”
Regarding accusations of “rewarding terrorism,” Starmer explained: “Our demand for a real two-state solution is the exact opposite of [Hamas’s] hateful vision.” “This solution is not a reward for Hamas,” he adds, because it means that Hamas cannot have a future, cannot have a role in government and cannot have a role in security. “The hunger and destruction are absolutely unbearable,” Keir Starmer noted. Tens of thousands of people have been killed, he said, including those trying to find food and water. “This death and destruction terrifies us all,” he said. Some sick and wounded children have been evacuated and we have increased humanitarian aid, he said, but “the aid that arrives is not nearly enough.”
Meanwhile, in his announcement the British Prime Minister calls on Israel to lift border restrictions. “Stop these harsh tactics and let aid through,” he said. “Today we join forces with more than 150 countries that recognize the Palestinian state,” Starmer continued, noting that this move represents “a commitment to the Palestinian and Israeli people that there can be a better future.” “I know how intense emotions this conflict provokes,” added the British Prime Minister. “We have seen it on our streets, in our schools and in the conversations we have had with friends and relatives. It has created division, some have used it to fuel hatred and fear, but this solves nothing. Not only must we reject hatred, but we must intensify our efforts to combat hatred in all its forms.”
Netanyahu: “Threatens our existence”
Upon hearing the official recognition of the state of Palestine by Canada, Australia and Britain, Benjamin Netanyahu made it clear that Israel will oppose any such attempt, which as he emphasized, “threatens our existence.” It is noted that Netanyahu, during his cabinet meeting, characterized this development as “an absurd reward for terrorism,” while emphasizing that “we must fight at the UN and in every other field against the false propaganda that targets us,” he said characteristically, warning that the international community will hear Israel’s positions in the coming days.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu announced that after his scheduled speech at the UN General Assembly he will meet with the American president. “This will be the fourth time I meet my friend, President Trump, since the beginning of his second term – more than any other world leader. We have a lot to discuss,” he noted. At the same time, the Israeli Prime Minister revealed that the country has made progress in talks with Syria, which, he said, could pave the way for peace agreements with both Damascus and Beirut. “Our victories against Hezbollah opened a window to incredible possibilities. There is the prospect of peace with our northern neighbors,” he said, adding that the process is still in an early stage. According to the Prime Minister’s office, Netanyahu is expected to convene an emergency council late in the evening to examine a security agreement plan with Syria. As Israeli sources reported, Damascus seeks to secure a halt to Israeli airstrikes and withdrawal of troops from the south of the country.
