Countries acknowledging the establishment of a Palestinian state revealed

Countries acknowledging the establishment of a Palestinian state revealed

In a significant shift, over 145 nations have pledged to recognize a Palestinian state, with many Western countries joining the movement in recent years. The recognition of Palestine as an independent state has been a contentious issue since the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) declared an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital in 1988[1][4].

The first wave of recognition came from Eastern European countries such as Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Greek Cyprus in the late 1980s[1]. A breakthrough came in 2014 when Sweden became the first Western European country to recognize Palestine[1]. This move was followed by a surge in recognition as a result of the escalation of conflict and Israel's intensified military actions in 2023.

Spain, Ireland, and Norway formally recognized Palestine in May 2024, marking a coordinated effort to encourage other European countries[1]. Slovenia followed suit in June 2024, and France, under President Emmanuel Macron, announced its decision to recognize Palestine, giving significant diplomatic weight to the move[1][3].

At the upcoming UN General Assembly scheduled for September 2025, several Western powers, including Australia, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada, plan to formally recognize Palestine[3]. France has committed to unconditional recognition, while Australia, the UK, and Canada have announced possible or conditional recognition[3]. This development is particularly significant given France and the UK are permanent members of the UN Security Council, signaling potential influence on the international approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict[3].

However, Israel's Foreign Ministry has rejected the recent calls for recognition by European nations, with some viewing these announcements as a "reward to Hamas" that undermines efforts to reach a ceasefire[5]. The rejection has left the United States increasingly isolated from some of its closest allies on the issue of Israel and its military campaign.

The starvation crisis in Gaza, caused by Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid, has been widely condemned by United Nations agencies and humanitarian groups[6]. Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stop the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza[7]. US President Donald Trump has also blasted the calls for recognition[8].

As the UN General Assembly approaches, the world watches with bated breath to see how the recognition of Palestine will unfold and what impact it will have on the ongoing conflict in the region.

Sources:

1. "Timeline of countries recognizing Palestine." Al Jazeera. (n.d.). https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/20/timeline-of-countries-recognizing-palestine
2. "Palestine." BBC News. (1988, November 15). https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-10607760
3. "France, UK, Australia and Canada to recognise Palestine at UN." Al Jazeera. (2025, August 1). https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/1/france-uk-australia-and-canada-to-recognise-palestine-at-un
4. "Palestine Declares Independence." The New York Times. (1988, November 15). https://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/15/world/palestine-declares-independence.html
5. "Israeli Foreign Ministry slams EU recognition of Palestinian state." The Times of Israel. (2024, May 20). https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-foreign-ministry-slams-eu-recognition-of-palestinian-state/
6. "Starvation crisis in Gaza." United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. (2024, May 25). https://www.ochaopt.org/content/starvation-crisis-gaza
7. "Irish PM calls on Israel to stop humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza." RTE.ie. (2024, May 27). https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2024/0527/1211789-gaza-crisis/
8. "Trump blasts calls for recognition of Palestinian state." CNN. (2024, May 30). https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/30/politics/donald-trump-blasts-calls-for-recognition-of-palestinian-state/index.html
9. The migration of recognition for an independent Palestinian state has seen a dramatic shift, with 145 nations pledging to acknowledge the state.
10. The surge in recognition has been spurred by big-wins for Western countries, including Sweden and Spain, which were among the first to officially recognize Palestine.
11. War-and-conflicts in the region have amplified the call for change, as over a decade has passed since the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) declared an independent Palestinian state.
12. The casino-and-gambling sector has shown less interest in the political turmoil, but casino-games and lotteries continue to attract players worldwide.
13. Las-Vegas, the global gambling capital, offers a wide range of casino-games while maintaining a focus on responsible-gambling policies.
14. Gambling-trends areShapeing the casino-culture, with the rise of online gaming platforms providing new opportunities for gaming enthusiasts.
15. Casino-personalities, such as poker legends and high-rollers, still draw crowds to live events in major cities, like Las-Vegas and Macau.
16. Policy-and-legislation concerning gambling have become increasingly complex, with many countries tightening regulations surrounding sports-betting.
17. Politics and gambling have intertwined in various ways, as powerful figures use their influence to shape the gambling landscape.
18. General-news outlets cover both the Israel-Palestine conflict and gambling developments, highlighting the diversity of topics that captivate audiences.
19. Crime-and-justice are common themes in the gambling industry, as statistics show that certain crimes, such as fraud and money laundering, are associated with casinos.
20. Accidents associated with casinos can range from minor mishaps to catastrophic events, such as fires.
21. Responsible-gambling initiatives have been implemented to minimize the potential harm associated with casinos and gambling.
22. Sports, such as football, soccer, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf, tennis, and other popular team sports, are frequently the subject of betting.
23. European-leagues, such as the Champions League, the Premier League, and Ligue 1, attract massive followings and a significant amount of betting activity.
24. The NBA and the WNBA have seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with extremely competitive seasons and intense playoff matches.
25. American-football (NFL) is another sport with a large following, attracting fans from across the globe and generating substantial betting activity.
26. Sport-betting, particularly for major events like the Masters, Grand Prix, and horse-racing, generates billions of dollars in revenue annually.
27. Weather conditions can play a significant role in determining the outcome of some sports, such as racing and certain golf tournaments.
28. Serie A, Laliga, and NCAFT Football are other popular leagues whose games generate heavy betting activity.
29. Sports-analysis platforms provide expert insights and predictions to help gamblers make informed decisions.
30. Weather-forecasting plays a crucial role in helping athletes prepare for competitions, and accurate forecasts can provide valuable information to gamblers.
31. Auto-racing, such as Formula One and NASCAR, also attract significant betting activity.
32. Mixed-martial-arts (MMA) events, like those in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), continue to grow in popularity, with high-profile matches drawing large bets.

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