This 12 months, amid Israel’s persevering with conflict on Gaza, 9 international locations – Armenia, Slovenia, Eire, Norway, Spain, the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados – formally recognised the State of Palestine, reflecting rising worldwide assist.
On November 29, the world observes the Worldwide Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian Individuals, a day established by the UN in 1977 to emphasize international assist for Palestinian rights, together with self-determination, independence and a simply decision to the difficulty of Palestinian refugees.
Recognising Palestine strengthens its international standing, improves its capability to carry Israeli authorities accountable for the occupation, and pressures Western powers to behave on the two-state resolution.
Which international locations recognise Palestine?
At present, not less than 146 UN member states recognise the State of Palestine, as does the Holy See, the governing physique of the Catholic Church and Vatican Metropolis, which holds UN observer standing.
These international locations are listed within the map and desk under:
A quick historical past of Palestinian recognition
On November 15, 1988, within the early years of the primary Intifada, Yasser Arafat, chairman of the Palestine Liberation Group, proclaimed Palestine as an impartial state with Jerusalem as its capital.
Following the announcement, greater than 80 international locations recognised Palestine as an impartial state, with robust assist from the International South, together with nations in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Arab world.
A lot of the European international locations that recognised Palestine throughout this time did in order a part of the previous Soviet bloc.
A couple of years later, on September 13, 1993, the primary direct talks between Palestinians and Israelis led to the signing of the Oslo Accords, which had been speculated to result in Palestinian self-determination within the type of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. This was by no means achieved.
Within the late 80s and early 90s, almost 20 international locations recognised Palestine, adopted by 12 extra international locations between 2000 and 2010 – principally from throughout Africa and South America.
By 2011, all African international locations, apart from Eritrea and Cameroon, recognised Palestine.
In 2012, the Normal Meeting voted by an awesome majority (138 in favour, 9 in opposition to, 41 abstentions) to vary Palestine’s standing to “nonmember observer state”, and in 2014, Sweden turned the primary nation in Western Europe to recognise Palestine.
Extra European international locations recognising Palestine
On Might 22, 2024, Norway, Eire and Spain, in succession, introduced that they had been recognising Palestine in keeping with the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
In response, Israel recalled its ambassadors from the three European international locations and promised to increase unlawful settlements within the occupied West Financial institution as punishment.
On June 4, Slovenia turned the newest European nation to recognise a Palestinian state.
Different European nations, Malta and Belgium, are discussing whether or not and when to recognise Palestinian statehood.
Not one of the G7 international locations – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK or the US – do.
