Portugal has announced it will formally recognise a Palestinian state on Sunday, becoming the latest Western nation to signal a policy shift as the war in Gaza intensifies with no end in sight.
The Portuguese foreign ministry confirmed the decision on Friday, days before the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) convenes in New York. The move aligns Lisbon with several other Western governments, including France, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, which are also preparing to extend recognition in the coming weeks.
Israel swiftly condemned Portugal’s announcement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said such recognition “rewards terror,” arguing it would only embolden Hamas and other armed groups. The United States, Israel’s closest ally, echoed the criticism.
US President Donald Trump, speaking during a state visit to the UK alongside British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, made clear his opposition. “I disagree with recognition,” Trump said, warning that such steps risk undermining peace efforts.
Despite strong objections from Israel and Washington, about three-quarters of the UN’s 193 member states already recognise Palestine. The Palestinian Authority was granted the status of non-member observer state at the UN in 2012, a symbolic but significant boost to its international standing.
The timing of Portugal’s move is especially sensitive, coming as Israeli forces press deeper into Gaza City. Tanks and ground troops are advancing as part of a continuing military offensive that has displaced tens of thousands of residents.
Israel launched its campaign in Gaza after the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 others taken hostage. In response, Israel has mounted a year-long military operation marked by airstrikes, ground incursions and a blockade that has deepened Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
The territory’s health ministry says at least 65,141 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since the conflict began, with thousands more wounded. Humanitarian groups warn that shortages of food, water, and medical supplies are creating catastrophic conditions for civilians trapped inside the enclave.
Diplomatic observers say Portugal’s recognition, alongside possible announcements from other Western allies, may increase pressure on Israel at the UN. The recognition drive also comes as the Palestinian leadership seeks wider legitimacy on the international stage amid the ongoing war.
As world leaders prepare to gather at the UNGA on Tuesday, the question of Palestinian statehood is likely to dominate discussions. Whether new recognitions will alter the dynamics of the conflict remains uncertain, but Portugal’s decision adds momentum to a broader shift in Western policy at a pivotal moment in the Middle East crisis.
