Portugal has formally recognized the State of Palestine, a significant diplomatic development aligning with a growing international sentiment favoring a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The announcement was made on September 21, 2025, by Portugal's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel, during a statement delivered in New York. Rangel emphasized that this decision stems from Portugal's long-standing foreign policy and aims to foster a just and lasting peace in the region. He reaffirmed Portugal's support for Israel's right to exist and condemned the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and over 250 hostages taken. Portugal also called for the immediate release of all hostages and the return of bodies of those killed, alongside a commitment to combat antisemitism.
This move by Portugal follows similar recognitions of Palestinian statehood by the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, which also occurred on September 21, 2025. These coordinated actions signal a notable shift in the diplomatic stances of several Western nations. Other European countries, including France, Belgium, Malta, and Luxembourg, have also indicated their intentions to recognize Palestinian statehood, with many expected to formalize their positions during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly. The backdrop to these diplomatic maneuvers includes the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has led to over 65,000 Palestinian deaths and more than 166,000 injuries since Israel declared war on Hamas.
Leaders from the recognizing nations, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, stressed that their decisions were not a reward for Hamas but an effort to revive hope for peace and a two-state solution. They also stipulated that Hamas must have no role in the future governance of Palestine. However, these recognitions drew sharp criticism from Israeli leadership. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that recognizing Palestinian statehood is a reward for terrorism and "will not happen," vowing to expand Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Israeli President Isaac Herzog also voiced criticism, suggesting these recognitions would not aid Palestinians or contribute to an agreement.
Palestine's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Omar Awadallah, viewed these recognitions as confirmation of Israel's lack of sovereignty over occupied territories. The international community's stance on Palestinian statehood has been evolving, with over 150 nations already acknowledging it. The current wave of recognitions, particularly from G7 nations and UN Security Council permanent members like the UK and France, carries significant diplomatic weight. While the immediate practical impact on the ground remains a subject of debate, these actions underscore a growing international consensus and a desire to re-energize efforts towards a peaceful resolution to the protracted Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The timing of these announcements, just before the UN General Assembly, highlights the critical juncture in diplomatic efforts to address the crisis.