The United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia now formally recognize the State of Palestine as of Sunday.

A ceasefire agreement in the war in Gaza has not yet been reached.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the decision was made “to revive hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a two‑state solution.” 

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada recognizing the State of Palestine, led by the Palestinian Authority, "empowers those who seek peaceful coexistence and the end of Hamas. This in no way legitimizes terrorism, nor is it any reward for it."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials slammed the decision, calling it “a reward for terror” and “absurd.”