The recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state is a contentious issue in international politics, with approximately 80% of United Nations member states recognizing Palestine. According to recent counts, at least 151 countries out of 193 UN members have extended recognition to Palestine. However, some countries have not obtained recent confirmation, and the numbers may vary.
Several countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia were among the first to recognize Palestine in 1988, including Algeria, Iraq, Yemen, Morocco, and Malaysia. In recent years, more countries have joined the list, such as Ireland, Norway, Spain, and Slovenia, which recognized Palestine in May and June 2024. Other countries like Sweden, which extended recognition in 2014, have also been vocal about Palestinian statehood. The recognition by these countries signifies their acknowledgment of Palestinian statehood, although it does not automatically establish a new state in legal
On the other hand, countries like the United States, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Cameroon, and Panama do not recognize Palestine as a sovereign state. These countries often cite the need for a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian National Authority. Some European countries like Hungary and the Czech Republic also do not recognize Palestine bilaterally, while others like the UK had initially not recognized but recently changed its
The recognition of Palestine carries significant symbolic and political weight, with many countries believing that Palestine meets the necessary conditions to be considered a state. According to Professor Romain Le Boeuf, recognition is a complex issue that sits somewhere between political choice and legal status. While recognition does not directly create a state, it can be seen as a milestone in the pursuit of statehood. The Palestinian Authority maintains its own list of countries that have recognized Palestine, but the absence of a formal registration office for recognitions can lead to discrepancies in reported numbers.
