”In New York, together with 14 other countries, France issues a collective appeal: we express our desire to recognize the state of Palestine and invite those who have not yet done so to join us”, writes France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot on X.
In a statement, the foreign ministers of the 15 countries condemn Hamas' coordinated terrorist attack on Israel in October 2023, and call for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages.
They urge all countries that have not done so to consider recognizing Palestine as a state.
Finland and Norway stand behind
The countries behind the statement are Andorra, Australia, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Canada, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, and Spain.
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney says at a press conference on Wednesday evening that the country intends to recognize Palestine as a state in September when the UN General Assembly opens.
This intention is based on the Palestinian Authority's commitment to implement necessary reforms, including the commitment from the Palestinian Authority's President Abbas to implement a fundamental reform of the government, to hold general elections in 2026 where Hamas cannot participate, says Carney.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday that the country will recognize Palestine in September if Israel does not agree to a ceasefire.
Criticizes the plans
The Israeli parliament's speaker Amir Ohana, who belongs to the same party as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is critical of the plans to recognize Palestine as a state. In a speech at an ongoing conference for parliamentary speakers in Geneva, he addresses himself specifically to France and the UK, writes The Jerusalem Post.
If you want a Palestinian state, build it in London or in Paris, says Ohana according to the newspaper.
Sweden recognized Palestine in October 2014.
