The US has sharply criticized the decision of several allies to recognize Palestine as a state, calling the move “performative.”
A spokesperson for the US State Department said on Sunday that Washington’s priority is serious diplomacy, not symbolic gestures. “Our focus is on the release of hostages, the security of Israel, and peace and prosperity for the region,” the official stated. The spokesperson also placed responsibility on Hamas for fueling the crisis.
Earlier in the day, Britain, Canada, Australia, and Portugal announced their formal recognition of Palestine. This marked a historic step that many European leaders described as essential for keeping alive the two-state solution.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the recognition aimed to “preserve the possibility of peace.” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also spoke of building a peaceful future for both Israel and Palestine through cooperation and dialogue.
The diplomatic shift is expected to grow. France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra, and San Marino are likely to join at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly. This momentum risks increasing Israel’s isolation and, by extension, putting pressure on the US.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, currently in Washington for talks with President Donald Trump, dismissed the possibility of Palestinian statehood. He said no Palestinian state would be created west of the Jordan River.
Far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also called for annexing the West Bank. Writing on X, he vowed to present a plan for annexation and urged a “complete crushing of the Palestinian Authority.”
Around three-quarters of UN member states already recognize Palestine. Last year, Ireland, Spain, and Norway formalized recognition, a trend that continues to expand despite opposition from Israel and the US.
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