Global Momentum: The Growing List of Countries Recognizing a Palestinian State.
The movement for Palestinian statehood has gained significant traction in global diplomacy, with over 145 countries officially recognizing Palestine as a sovereign state. This growing list reflects a decades-long trend that began with the Palestine National Council’s declaration of statehood in 1988 and continues to evolve as nations respond to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and calls for Palestinian self-determination.
The first wave of recognition came in 1988, following the Palestine National Council’s proclamation of an independent Palestinian state. During the 1990s and 2000s, many African, Asian, and Latin American countries extended formal recognition, driven by solidarity with the Palestinian cause and a commitment to international justice. Nations such as Nigeria, under President Tinubu’s administration, have maintained their longstanding position of recognizing Palestine as an independent state.
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In recent years, political shifts and increasing criticism of Israel’s actions, particularly in Gaza, have prompted a new wave of recognitions. In 2024, countries including Ireland, Norway, Spain, Barbados, Jamaica, and several other Caribbean nations formally recognized Palestine. Meanwhile, Australia, Canada, and France have announced plans to extend recognition at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2024, further signaling a shift in global sentiment.
Growing Momentum in 2024
The year 2024 has been pivotal for Palestinian recognition, with several European and Caribbean nations joining the list. Ireland, Norway, and Spain, for instance, cited the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and the need for a two-state solution as key motivators for their decisions. Barbados, Jamaica, The Bahamas, and Trinidad and Tobago also formalized their recognition, reflecting a broader trend among smaller nations to align with the Palestinian cause.
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This wave of recognitions has placed the United States increasingly at odds with some of its closest allies. While the U.S. has historically supported Israel and resisted recognizing Palestine without a negotiated agreement, the growing international consensus highlights a divergence in foreign policy approaches among Western nations.
Comprehensive List of Countries Recognizing Palestine
Below is a comprehensive list of countries that have officially recognized Palestine as a sovereign state, including recent additions in 2024:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia (2024), Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados (2024), Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia (2018), Comoros, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Granada, Guatemala (2013), Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti (2013), Honduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland (2024), Ivory Coast, Jamaica (2024), Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico (2023), Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Norway (2024), Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Republic of Congo, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis (2019), Saint Lucia (2015), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia (2024), Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Spain (2024), Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden (2014), Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand (2012), The Bahamas (2024), Togo, Trinidad and Tobago (2024), Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican (2015), Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Global Support for a Gaza Ceasefire
Beyond state recognition, international support for addressing the Gaza crisis has also grown. On October 27, 2023, 120 countries, including Nigeria, voted in favor of a United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. The resolution emphasized the protection of civilians, compliance with international humanitarian and human rights laws, and the release of illegally held civilians. It also reaffirmed the need for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting the global community’s commitment to addressing the crisis.
The increasing number of countries recognizing Palestine reflects a broader shift in global diplomacy, driven by both moral and political considerations. As the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, more nations are taking a stand in support of Palestinian self-determination. The decisions by Ireland, Norway, Spain, and others in 2024, alongside planned recognitions by Australia, Canada, and France, signal that the momentum for Palestinian statehood is unlikely to slow down.
For countries like Nigeria, which has consistently supported Palestine, the growing list of nations recognizing Palestinian statehood reinforces a shared commitment to justice and sovereignty. As the international community prepares for further discussions at the United Nations, the question of Palestinian statehood remains a critical issue shaping global alliances and foreign policy.
Global Momentum: The Growing List of Countries Recognizing a Palestinian State.
