Recognition of Palestine State

Why in News?

Recently, at the UN General Assembly, France became the latest global power to recognize Palestine statehood, a day after the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia did so.

• New recognitions – F rance, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, and Andorra all announced their recognition of Palestine.
• Growing international support – This wave of recognition increased the total number of UN member states that recognize Palestine to 157, or approximately 81% of all members.

India recognized Palestine as a state in November 1988, making it one of the first countries to do so.

• U.S. position – The U.S. government remains opposed to unilateral recognition and has historically vetoed resolutions for Palestine's full UN membership, stating that a Palestinian state must be achieved through direct negotiation with Israel.
• New York Declaration – The latest moves at the UN followed the General Assembly's approval of the New York Declaration in mid– September 2025.
• Strong support – The resolution, which calls for a two– state solution, was endorsed by 142 countries.
• Key provisions – It included some of the UN's strongest language against Hamas while also condemning Israel's actions in Gaza. The declaration also outlines a roadmap for a two– state solution.
• U.S. and Israeli opposition – Both Israel and the U.S. boycotted the summit where the declaration was finalized.

Recognition of Palestinian statehood

• As per International Law Criteria to be classified as a state, an entity must have defined territory, permanent population, government, capacity to enter relations with other states.
• More countries recognising Palestine practically strengthens one of these.
• Territorial control – Israel controls 100% of Palestinian territories through occupation of West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza.
• Settlement construction and annexation proposals threaten Palestinian territorial claims.
• Population and humanitarian crisis – Estimates of casualties in Gaza indicate that around 10% of the population is either killed or injured, with total deaths exceeding 65,000.
• Over a million people in Gaza face famine amid ongoing bombardment.
• Palestinian Authority (PA) – PA acts as have the legal (de jure) recognition to govern certain areas in parts of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, but Israel maintains actual (de facto) control.
• Hamas' role in Gaza – Governs Gaza under Israeli blockade since 2007, complicating statehood and governance prospects.
• Calls for reform – There are demands for reform from the PA and disarmament of Hamas, though the latter remains rejected.
• Implications for Palestinian statehood – Increased recognition helps the PA in international lobbying efforts, but sovereignty remains limited due to Israel’s military control.
• Despite greater recognition of statehood, immediate changes to the conflict dynamics in Gaza are limited.

Reference

The Indian express| Developments in Recognition of Palestine