Nearly 150 countries have recognized Palestine as a state. Will more countries soon join them?
As of August 2025, the State of Palestine is recognized as a sovereign nation by 147 of the 193 United Nations member states, representing over 75% of the international community, alongside the Holy See. This growing recognition reflects increasing global support for Palestinian self-determination, particularly in light of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The State of Palestine was officially declared by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) on November 15, 1988, claiming sovereignty over the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. By the end of that year, 78 countries had recognized Palestine, primarily from the Global South, including much of the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Since then, the number has steadily increased, with significant waves of recognition following key diplomatic milestones.
In 2024, nine countries—Armenia, Slovenia, Ireland, Norway, Spain, the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and Barbados—formally recognized Palestine, driven by frustration over Israel’s military actions in Gaza and the stalled peace process. This year, France announced its intention to recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September 2025, becoming the first G7 nation to do so. The United Kingdom and Canada have also signaled conditional plans to recognize Palestine by the same deadline, pending actions like a ceasefire in Gaza or democratic reforms by the Palestinian Authority. These moves by major Western powers mark a significant shift, leaving the United States as the only UN Security Council permanent member not recognizing Palestine.
Most countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, including major powers like China, Russia, India, and Brazil, have long recognized Palestine. In Europe, 14 of the 32 NATO countries, including recent additions like Spain, Ireland, Norway, and Slovenia, now recognize Palestinian statehood. However, key Western nations such as the United States, Germany, Australia, Japan, and South Korea do not, often citing the need for a negotiated two-state solution with Israel.
Recognition of Palestine carries symbolic and diplomatic weight, strengthening its global standing and enabling formal relations, such as exchanging ambassadors and recognizing Palestinian passports. It also pressures Israel to address the occupation and supports accountability efforts, such as Palestine’s participation in the International Criminal Court, which recognized it as a state in 2014.
Israel has consistently opposed these recognitions, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arguing they reward terrorism and threaten Israel’s security. In response to recent moves by Norway, Ireland, and Spain, Israel recalled ambassadors and promised to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank. The United States has blocked Palestine’s bid for full UN membership, using its veto power in the Security Council, though Palestine has held non-member observer status since 2012.
Other European nations, including Malta, Belgium, Portugal, and Luxembourg, are considering recognition, with discussions ongoing about timing and conditions. Australia and New Zealand have also expressed openness to recognition, with Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasizing support for a two-state solution.
The push for recognition comes amid heightened global concern over Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, with reports of starvation and displacement fueling calls for a two-state solution. As more nations join the majority in recognizing Palestine, the diplomatic isolation of Israel and the United States on this issue grows, potentially reshaping the path toward peace in the region.
