Portugal has announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state on Sunday, marking its shift in policy amid ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. This announcement comes as global leaders prepare for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) next week in New York.
Countries such as France, the UK, Canada, and Australia are reportedly considering similar actions. This trend has been met with strong opposition from Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that such recognition “rewards terror,” particularly in light of the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
The United States, a key ally of Israel, has echoed Netanyahu’s sentiments. During a state visit to the UK, President Donald Trump expressed his disagreement with the move for recognition alongside British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Historically, approximately three-quarters of the United Nations’ 193 member states recognize a Palestinian state. In 2012, the UN General Assembly granted Palestine the status of a non-member observer state. As tensions continue to escalate, Israeli military operations have intensified, notably with ground forces advancing into Gaza City, resulting in significant displacement among the population.
The conflict in Gaza escalated following the October 7 attack, which resulted in an estimated 1,200 fatalities and 251 individuals taken hostage in Israel. According to the health ministry in Gaza, there have been at least 65,141 reported deaths attributed to Israeli military actions since the onset of these operations. With the UNGA on the horizon, the international community is closely monitoring these developments.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yek72jqk4o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss