The Sultanate of Oman has welcomed the announcements by the United Kingdom (UK), Canada and Australia in recognising the State of Palestine. Oman considers this step a very important development in the context of international efforts aimed at achieving a two-state solution and establishing the foundations of security and peace in the region.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Foreign Ministry, Oman reiterated its call to other members of the international community that have not yet recognised the State of Palestine to take similar steps. This, the statement said, would guarantee the Palestinian people their legitimate right to establish their independent state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with Al Quds Al Sharqiya (East Jerusalem) as its capital.
Earlier, Britain, Australia and Canada recognised a Palestinian state in a coordinated, seismic shift from decades of Western foreign policy, triggering swift anger from Israel.
Portugal was also set to recognise Palestinian statehood later in the day, as Israel comes under huge international pressure over its war in Gaza and the dire humanitarian situation in the besieged territory.
"Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a two-state solution, the United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine," UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a message on X.
The three countries became the first members of the Group of Seven advanced economies to take the step, with France and other nations expected to follow at the annual UN General Assembly which opens on Monday in New York.
"Canada recognises the State of Palestine and offers our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future," Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote on X.
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Canberra's move "recognises the legitimate and long-held aspirations of the people of Palestine to a state of their own".
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas hailed Sunday's recognition as "an important and necessary step towards achieving a just and lasting peace in accordance with international legitimacy."
But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the move as "absurd" and said it would "endanger" Israel's existence.
It is a watershed moment for Palestinians and their ambitions for statehood, with the most powerful Western nations having long argued it should only come as part of a negotiated peace deal with Israel. Although a largely symbolic move, it puts those countries at odds with the United States and Israel.
US President Donald Trump said last week, after talks with Starmer during a state visit to the UK, that "one of our few disagreements" was over Palestinian statehood.
A growing number of longtime Israeli allies have shifted their long-held positions as Israel has intensified its Gaza offensive, which began almost two years ago.
The Gaza Strip has suffered vast destruction, with a growing international outcry over the besieged coastal territory's spiralling death toll. — Agencies
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