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A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said United States President Donald Trump also views recognition of the State of Palestine as wrongly “rewarding Hamas”.
Who first recognised a Palestinian state?
Algeria, Indonesia and Malaysia were among the first group of countries to recognise the state in 1988, with 82 countries in total — from India, Türkiye, and most of Africa to Eastern Europe — doing so by the end of that year.
Algeria, Indonesia and Malaysia were among the first group of countries to recognise a Palestinian state in 1988, with 82 countries in total doing so by the end of that year. Source: SBS News
In 1993, the Palestine Liberation Organization and Israel signed the Oslo Accords — which were heralded as the start of peace talks.
In April 2024, the US vetoed a resolution that would have paved the way for full UN membership for the State of Palestine.
Countries join revived push for Palestinian statehood in Europe
The US, UK, Australia and other Western countries have previously insisted that recognition comes as part of a negotiated peace settlement.
As of March 2025, the State of Palestine has been recognised as a sovereign nation by 147 of 193 member states of the United Nations. Source: SBS News
Israel’s bombardment of Gaza — which has killed at least 60,430 people, according to the territory’s health ministry — in retaliation for Hamas’ killing of more than 1,170 people in Israel on October 7 in 2023, has renewed support in Europe for Palestinian statehood.
Later that year, Spain, Norway and Ireland joined efforts in Western Europe, with the hopes that the symbolic move would help work towards a two-state solution.
Where does Australia stand?
“Everybody understands that there is a risk that there will be no Palestine left to recognise unless the international community work together towards two states.”
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has stated Australia is working with other countries on the Palestinian statehood issue. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch
Last week, Australia joined 14 other countries, including several that already recognise the Palestinian state, in a statement welcoming commitments by the Palestinian Authority paving a pathway to recognition.
Albanese spoke with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday morning, when he reiterated Australia’s commitment to a two-state solution in the Middle East that would allow a Palestinian state and Israel to peacefully co-exist.
