Portugal to Recognize Palestine on Sunday, France and Allies to Follow

Portugal has announced that it will officially recognize the State of Palestine on Sunday, one day before the United Nations General Assembly meets in New York. The decision, confirmed by the Portuguese Foreign Ministry in a statement on its official website, marks a significant diplomatic step that is expected to be followed by a wave of similar announcements.

According to the French presidency, nine other countries—including France—will recognize Palestine the following day, during the upcoming “Two-State Solution Conference” on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. These nations are France, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra, and San Marino.

French officials warned Israel against retaliating by annexing parts of the occupied West Bank, a move Israeli officials have threatened in recent days. The Élysée described annexation as a “clear red line” and “the worst possible violation of international law,” stressing that any such step would deal a devastating blow to peace efforts.

France also underlined that the future borders of a Palestinian state must be based on the 1967 lines. “Our agenda is positive. It is not about counter-reactions, but about making an effort for peace,” a French presidential advisor said, while reiterating that annexation would “pose the greatest threat” to preserving the two-state solution.