Ahead of a crucial meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced a setback. A European country has declared its intention to officially recognize Palestine as an independent nation. This announcement precedes a significant United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York on September 22nd, where discussions will primarily focus on the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The European nation of Portugal made this announcement, dealing a blow to Netanyahu. Portugal’s decision to recognize Palestine as a sovereign state is expected to be formalized on September 21st, as stated by the Portuguese Foreign Ministry. Lisbon had previously indicated in July that this action was necessary due to the worsening conditions, humanitarian crises, and repeated threats from Israel.
There are indications that several other Western and European countries may also recognize Palestine during the meeting. Israel has strongly opposed such recognitions, arguing that it would reward Hamas, which initiated the Gaza war with its October 7, 2023 attack. The Israeli government believes that recognizing Palestine would encourage terrorism and undermine the peace process.
Furthermore, the UN General Assembly will address the two-state solution, with France and Saudi Arabia co-hosting an international conference to support the Palestinian Authority (PA) in overcoming its economic challenges. Norway and Spain are also expected to participate in this conference. Israel has withheld millions of dollars in tax revenues from the PA for four months, significantly impacting its financial stability. The meeting will also see participation from countries like Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, and San Marino, who are considering recognizing Palestine. Major Western nations like Britain, Canada, and France might also make announcements regarding Palestinian recognition at the assembly. Approximately three-quarters of the 193 UN member states have already recognized Palestine.