New York
Portugal has confirmed it will officially recognise the State of Palestine today (September 21), a day before a high-level United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) conference on Palestinian statehood. The announcement came through the Portuguese Foreign Ministry on late Friday, concluding nearly 15 years of political debate since the proposal was first tabled in 2011.
Prime Minister Luis Montenegro’s consultations with the president and parliament paved the way for the decision. Portugal now joins a growing list of nations, including France, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, that have recently declared their intent to recognise Palestine.
The move comes amid heightened international scrutiny of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which a UN inquiry recently warned could amount to genocide. Reports say more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 165,000 injured since October 2023. Portugal cited worsening humanitarian conditions, escalating violence, and Israel’s annexation threats as key factors behind its stance.
France, co-hosting Monday’s UNGA conference with Saudi Arabia, confirmed that several countries, such as Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra, San Marino, and Australia, will also extend recognition. Canada and the UK are expected to follow suit.
As of April 2025, about 147 UN member states — nearly three-quarters of the body — had already recognised Palestine. Portugal was also among 145 nations that voted to allow Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to deliver a video address at the UNGA next week after the United States denied him a visa. Only five nations, including the US and Israel, opposed the motion.
This recognition strengthens momentum for Palestinian statehood ahead of crucial global discussions in New York.
