Recognising Palestinian state ‘will not stop genocide’

Mohamad Elmasry, a professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, says impending moves by Western countries to recognise a Palestinian state are motivated by a desire to be seen to be doing something but will not stop the genocide in Gaza.

“I think they’re under increasing pressure from the international community and also from their local populations to do something,” he told Al Jazeera. “This is, I think, their way of doing something or saying that they did something without actually taking substantive action.”

Elmasry said he could think “of a dozen things these countries could do to actually affect conditions on the ground” – including closing off airspace to Israel, severing economic and diplomatic ties, or calling for a peacekeeping force or a no-fly zone.

“There are all kinds of things they could do that would hurt Israel and force … the eventual end of the genocide,” he said.

“We’re all left to wonder why they think this particular action is the appropriate one when more than 140 countries have already recognised the Palestinian state – that hasn’t done anything – and at a time when Israel has basically rendered the possibility of a Palestinian state completely impossible.”

British reactions to UK’s decision to recognise Palestinian state

Layla Moran, a Liberal Democrat MP of Palestinian heritage, says an independent Palestinian state was a promise made by the UK to her grandfather, adding that while the move isn’t a silver bullet, “today we have just a little more hope, and hope is contagious”.

Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour leader, has congratulated those who pushed for this move and says the UK government should recognise the genocide in Gaza and halt arms sales to Israel.

Mel Stride, the Conservative shadow chancellor, told the BBC that the government should have held off recognition to keep it as leverage for future negotiations.

Scottish National Party leader John Swinney said: “The recognition of a Palestinian state is a historic moment which should have come long ago.”

Plaid Cymru, a Welsh separatist party, joined Corbyn in calling on the government to go further by imposing sanctions on Israel and stopping arms sales. In a post on X, Rhun ap Iorwerth, the party leader, said: “The UK has a moral and legal responsibility to ensure Israel complies with international law, and urgent action is needed to prevent further humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.”

Israeli government approves appointment of Braverman as new envoy to UK

The Israeli cabinet has approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s chief of staff, Tzachi Braverman, as Israel’s next ambassador in London, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.

According to Israeli media, Braverman and his wife are close friends of the Netanyahu family. The newly-appointed diplomat is under investigation for suspected forgery and fraud over alleged record tampering in the Israeli prime minister’s office.

Police have already questioned him on suspicions that he altered the official record of when Netanyahu first issued instructions in response to Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack.

He has been Netanyahu’s chief of staff since April 2022.

Israel’s Gantz claims recognition of Palestinian statehood ’emboldens Hamas’

Israel’s Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz has harshly condemned any recognition of Palestinian statehood, following such moves by the UK, Canada and Australia.

“Recognising a Palestinian State after October 7 ultimately only emboldens Hamas, extends the war, distances the prospects of a hostage deal and sends a clear message of support to Iran and its proxies,” wrote Gantz in a post on X.

Gantz instead urged Western leaders to exert “maximum pressure” on Hamas to “relinquish power” and free the captives “before anything else”.

The UK, Canada and Australia’s recognition of Palestine adds to the growing international momentum for Palestinian statehood, already acknowledged by more than 75 percent of United Nations member states.

All things Hamas has already said they will do if Israel leaves Gaza. The only one extending the genocide are Netanyahu and his axis of political allies, Trump, Starmer, Carney, etc.

Starmer ‘outlines roadmap’ for two-state solution

Al Jazeera’s Sonia Gallego, reporting from London, says that in Starmer’s statement recognising Palestinian statehood, he has outlined a roadmap that would lead via a ceasefire and release of captives to an eventual peace process and a two-state solution.

Gallego said Starmer gave few details on exactly how he envisaged the roadmap would play out but was clear “that Hamas is not going to be part of that solution”.

“There are going to be further sanctions on Hamas. They are explicitly ruled out from any role in governance,” Gallego said.

She said that in the statement – which amounted to “quite an extraordinary historic moment for the UK” – Starmer had also emphasised “how the humanitarian crisis is damaging everything – how it has really gone beyond anything anyone’s seen and how immense that suffering is”.

Then stop supporting the genocide, if you mean anything you say. Empty words from a war criminal. Sanctions need to be on Israel. Likud has to be ruled out from any role in governance in Israel.

What recognising Palestinian state at UN actually means

If United Nations member states vote in favour of recognising Palestine as a state, it will be seen as a diplomatic and political milestone that could increase international pressure on Israel.

Recognition signals political support for Palestinian sovereignty and reinforces the push for a two-state solution, but it does not automatically create a fully functioning state on the ground.

Palestine currently holds the status of a “non-member observer state” at the UN, a designation granted in 2012. Recognition by the UN General Assembly could build momentum for Palestine to seek full UN membership, though that requires approval by the Security Council, where the United States has consistently used its veto on Palestine-related motions.

Recognition could also strengthen Palestine’s position in international institutions, such as the International Criminal Court (ICC), by bolstering its claims to statehood and legitimacy in pursuing cases related to occupation and war crimes. In addition, countries that recognise Palestine may establish or upgrade diplomatic missions and increase aid or political backing.

However, recognition at the UN does not change the realities on the ground. Israel maintains military control over the occupied West Bank, where it has continued to expand settlements on Palestinian land. It also enforces a blockade on Gaza, where it is currently carrying out a genocide that has killed tens of thousands of people.

Recognition of the ongoing live streamed genocide would be more productive at this point. Western countries are still denying the genocide.

Right here:

Jeremy Corbyn calls for UK recognition of Gaza genocide

Former UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has welcomed the government’s recognition of the State of Palestine, adding that it is now time to also “recognise the genocide in Gaza” and the UK’s complicity in crimes against humanity.

“Next, the UK should recognise the genocide in Gaza, end its complicity in crimes against humanity, and stop arming Israel,” he said on X.

Well done to all those who have tirelessly campaigned for the recognition of Palestine — an inalienable right of the Palestinian people.

Next, the UK should recognise the genocide in Gaza, end its complicity in crimes against humanity, and stop arming Israel.

— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) September 21, 2025

‘Not enough’: Medical charity calls on UK to impose arms embargo on Israel

As the UK announces recognition of a Palestinian state, Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP)’s director of advocacy and campaigns, Rohan Talbot, has called on the country “to take meaningful action” alongside “symbolic gestures”.

“Alongside finally recognising the State of Palestine, the UK government should also recognise some hard truths: Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, and by continuing to allow arms transfers to Israel, and failing to take meaningful action to hold perpetrators accountable, the UK remains complicit in the very atrocities that threaten Palestinians’ existence and nationhood,” he said in a statement.

“Gaza City is being ethnically cleansed right now, in plain sight. Once again, we say: symbolic gestures are simply not enough. The UK government must urgently take concrete action that will help stop the genocide and end Israel’s illegal occupation,” Talbot added.

“End all arms sales now, take all possible legal, diplomatic, and economic measures to end impunity for those who violate international law, and ban UK trade with illegal settlements. Failure to do so means the UK will continue to be an ally to Israel’s atrocities,” he said.

Israeli ministers threaten to impose sovereignty over occupied West Bank

Israeli government ministers have threatened to impose sovereignty over the occupied West Bank in response to the recognition of a Palestinian state by the UK, Canada and Australia.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said that the recognition of Palestinian statehood – which he described as a “reward for murderers” – demanded “immediate countermeasures: the immediate application of sovereignty” in the occupied West Bank “and the complete destruction of the ‘Palestinian’ terrorist authority”.

“I intend to submit a proposal for the application of sovereignty to the next government meeting,” he said in a post on X.

Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar echoed the threat, describing the recognition of Palestinian statehood as “a meaningless declaration reeking of antisemitism and hatred of Israel”.

“The only proper response to this foolish statement is the application of Israeli sovereignty over Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley,” he said in a post on X, using biblical terms to refer to the West Bank.

You were already doing that anyway, continue playing the 'victim'. It's getting more and more ridiculous day by day.

Netanyahu says Israel will continue developing settlements in West Bank

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has reacted to the latest Western moves to recognise Palestine, insisting Israel will continue developing settlements in the occupied West Bank that obstruct a future Palestinian state.

He added that Palestinian statehood “will not happen”.

Netanyahu said Israel’s complete response to the latest recognition moves will come after he returns from a trip to the United States this week, where he is expected to address the UN General Assembly and meet US President Donald Trump.

More proof the opposition in Israel isn't any better

Lapid blames Israeli government for Palestinian state recognition

The recognition of a Palestinian state by the UK, Australia and Canada is a “political disaster” caused by the Israeli government, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid says.

“A functioning Israeli government could have prevented this through smart and serious work, professional diplomatic dialogue, and proper public diplomacy,” Lapid said on X.

“The government that brought upon us the worst security disaster in our history is now also bringing upon us the most severe diplomatic crisis ever.”

Israel’s Gallant promises Palestinian state ‘will never be established’

Former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant is the latest Israeli figure to react harshly to the UK’s, Canada’s and Australia’s recognition of Palestinian statehood.

In a post on X, he said “a Palestinian state will never be established” and took a swipe at Britain’s colonial legacy.

“The British Mandate ended 77 years ago – the English rule of oppression from that time is well remembered and will no longer determine anything for the State of Israel,” Gallant said.

Portugal recognises Palestinian statehood

Portugal is formally recognising Palestinian statehood, the country’s Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel has announced.

It is the fourth country today to make such a recognition after the UK, Canada and Australia.

Speaking to reporters in New York, Rangel said the recognition is “the realisation of a fundamental, constant and fundamental line of Portuguese foreign policy”.

He went on to say that “Portugal advocates the two-state solution as the only path to a just and lasting peace”. Rangel acknowledged that recognising Palestinian statehood “does not erase the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza”, where he said “a ceasefire is urgent”.

He also stressed that Hamas must release the captives remaining in Gaza and in the future “cannot have any form of control in Gaza or outside it”.


Many wondering whether recognition of a Palestinian state will help people of Gaza

These are important and powerful Western countries: Australia, a regional power; Canada and the UK are members of the G7 and the latter is also a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Remember the historic role of the UK in this. It all started with the Balfour Declaration when the UK said that there could be a home for Jewish people in Palestine, and then the UK controlled Palestine as a British mandate for about 30 years.

When the Balfour Declaration was signed, the population that was Jewish in Palestine was estimated at well below 10 percent. That shows the historical sweep here.

The UK, 75 years after it recognised the State of Israel, is now recognising the State of Palestine too.

Some would say: Is this going to help the people of Gaza?

Recognition of Palestinian state ‘not going to change facts on the ground’

Simon Mabon, a professor of Middle East and international politics at Lancaster University, says the move by the UK to recognise Palestine as a state will add “symbolic diplomatic heft” to the more than 150 nations that have already done so.

“It’s not going to change the facts on the ground, it’s not going to alter Israeli actions in Gaza, it’s not going to halt Israeli settlement building in and around East Jerusalem or across the West Bank,” Mabon told Al Jazeera.

It’s also not going to affect how US President Donald Trump is thinking about the “question of Israel-Palestine and the devastation of Gaza”, Mabon said, adding that while it was “long overdue”, it is unlikely going to change anything substantive on the ground.

He also noted that there are “serious questions” about whether it is even possible to create a viable Palestinian state as illegal settlements expand and the West Bank continues to be separated from the Gaza Strip.

“It’s going to make it even more difficult, if not impossible, for people living in East Jerusalem to get to families in the West Bank – and vice versa,” Mabron said.

UK recognition of Palestinian state ‘a hollow gesture’ without concrete action: Amnesty

Amnesty International says the UK government’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state will be “a hollow gesture” unless it is matched by concrete measures to end Israel’s genocide in Gaza and decades-long occupation.

Kristyan Benedict, Amnesty’s crisis response manager, said recognition was “no doubt significant”, but warned that “words alone won’t stop the atrocities”.

He urged the UK to halt arms exports to Israel, sanction officials implicated in war crimes, end trade with settlements, push for Israel to lift the blockade on famine-stricken Gaza, and dismantle its apartheid system.

“Recognition must be tied to real accountability,” Benedict said, stressing that any political solution must be rooted in human rights and international justice.

Israeli army says new armoured division enters Gaza City

In a statement, Israel’s army says its 36th Division, an armoured division under the Northern Command, has joined the ground offensive in Gaza City.

Earlier this month, the 36th Division was pulled out of Khan Younis, The Times of Israel reports. The division then spent two weeks preparing for combat in Gaza City, according to the Israeli army.

Many people ‘don’t have means to move’ out of Gaza City: Oxfam

Chris McIntosh, a humanitarian response adviser for Oxfam in Gaza, has spoken to Al Jazeera about the worsening conditions in Gaza City, where he said many people do not have the capacity or resources to leave.

“There are people in Gaza City who are living in destitute poverty – they have for months – and they don’t have the means to move, they can’t even begin to think about it,” said McIntosh.

The longer people stay in Gaza City, the less available resources are likely to be, as focus shifts to setting up infrastructure in the south and “basically the plug gets pulled on the north of Gaza”, he added.

“Every day they’re facing fewer and fewer resources, including their options for access to healthcare, their options for food, and this is to say nothing of electricity,” McIntosh said.

“There is no dignity in this. There is no respect for humanity in this.”

Israeli forces kill 3 aid seekers in Khan Younis

Three people have been killed by Israeli gunfire while waiting for aid in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, a source at the Nasser Medical Complex tells Al Jazeera.

Others were wounded in the attack, the source said.

Israel air strikes target Gaza refugee camp

Our colleagues on the ground are reporting that intensive Israeli air strikes are targeting the Shati refugee camp in western Gaza City.

Israeli warplanes kill seven near UNRWA clinic in Gaza refugee camp

Israeli drone strike kills 5 people in southern Lebanon

Lebanon’s Health Ministry says an Israeli drone strike on the southern city of Bint Jbeil has killed five people, including three children.

Two people were wounded in the attack.

Israeli settlers set up new West Bank outpost, seize Palestinian home in Hebron

Israeli settlers have tried to take more Palestinian land and property in the occupied West Bank, seizing a Palestinian home in Hebron and setting up a new illegal outpost in the Sakout area of the Jordan Valley, the Wafa news agency reports.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces raiding an area near Bethlehem have shot and injured a young Palestinian man. The man, who was shot in the knee, has been hospitalised in Bethlehem.

As we’ve reported, attacks by Israeli forces and settlers – already a regular feature of life in the West Bank before the war in Gaza began – have intensified during the conflict. Such attacks have killed more than 1,000 people and displaced over 6,500.

Main events on September 21st

• Israel continued to pound Gaza, including Gaza City, where it is waging an intense assault and invasion, killing at least 68 Palestinians since dawn.
• Australia, Canada, Portugal and the UK have become the latest countries to recognise Palestine as a state ahead of a UN General Assembly meeting, putting further pressure on Israel and boosting momentum for a two-state solution.
• The move has been welcomed by Palestinian leaders and NGOs, who also called for more concrete steps to be taken by states, including halting arms sales to Israel.
• An Israeli attack on Lebanon’s southern city of Bint Jbeil has killed five people, including three children, despite a ceasefire agreed to with Hezbollah in November last year.
• The Palestinian Prisoners Media Office said at least 24 people have been arrested by Israeli forces at dawn in the occupied West Bank, where Israeli soldiers carry out near-daily raids into towns and villages.

Drones spotted near Gaza aid flotilla

Organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla say multiple drones have been spotted near and following their fleet.

In a post on X, the group said the sudden increase in aerial activity had raised concerns for the safety of those on board. It added that teams are monitoring the situation closely and coordinating with partners to document and assess developments.

The convoy departed a week ago from Tunisia’s northern port city of Bizerte with activists from more than 40 countries aboard. Two vessels came under attack prior to their departure.

The convoy is attempting to deliver desperately needed humanitarian aid to families in the famine-struck Gaza Strip.

Gaza Aid Flotilla - Israel is Laying the Groundwork for Violence

“Israeli propaganda is predictive of Israeli conduct. If they want to ridicule a flotilla they’ll call it a selfie yacht, but if, on the other hand, they want to lay the foundations for violence, they’ll say it’s terror-linked.”

Hundreds of ordinary people, including doctors, lawyers, politicians and journalists, are attempting to break Israel’s genocidal blockade of Gaza. By attempting to smear people on board the Global Sumud Flotilla as terrorists, Israel could be laying the groundwork for an attack or violent interception.

Iran hits back; decides to halt cooperation with IAEA; can it go nuclear?

Iran has decided to snap ties with the IAEA after it failed to secure the much-needed support at the UN Security Council following the triggering of the SnapBack mechanism by E3 countries. Rifat Jawaid looks at the surprising conduct of some African countries and what this means for Tehran for its ability to achieve its nuclear ambition.