As was widely expected, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal formally recognized a Palestinian state on Sunday.

Facing intense Israeli anger and accusations of rewarding terror, their leaders argued that the move would actually undermine Hamas and encourage peace based on a two-state solution.

“Portugal advocates the two-state solution as the only path to a just and lasting peace… A ceasefire is urgent,” said Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel, adding that Hamas “cannot have any form of control in Gaza or outside it” and demanding the release of all hostages in the Strip.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his country’s recognition was part of “a practical plan to bring people together behind a common vision and a series of steps, including the reform of the Palestinian Authority, that takes us from a ceasefire in Gaza to negotiations on a two-state solution.”

He added that the UK was sidelining Hamas: “Our call for a genuine two-state solution is the exact opposite of their hateful vision.”

Hamas itself appeared to disagree. Thanking the UK and Canada and calling their action a “victory,” senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi tied the recognition to the terror group’s invasion and massacre in Israel on October 7, 2023, saying it “came thanks to the immense sacrifices” made by Palestinians since the Hamas attacks, especially those in Gaza.

Western leaders didn’t explain in any detail their second claim, that recognizing a Palestinian state with no strings attached advances a two-state solution.

Their move actually seemed to violate the 1995 Oslo II Accords, which stated clearly that “Neither side shall initiate or take any step that will change the status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip pending the outcome of the permanent status negotiations.”

Nor did they demand any concessions from the Palestinians, beyond

© The Times of Israel