A report on recent recognitions of Palestine, walkouts at the GA, and Trump’s Peace Plan
In a week of high-stakes diplomacy and visible division, Gaza has returned to the center of global politics, as walkouts, recognition debates, and the United States’ peace plan reveal a world split over how to end the conflict.
The Times of Israel reported on Sept. 22 that at least 145 countries recognize the State of Palestine. That is three-quarters of UN members. On Sept. 23, Al Jazeera reported that 157 UN member states, with Canada being the first G7 country, recognized.
Canada, Australia, Portugal, and the United Kingdom officially recognized the Palestinian state on Sept. 21, 2025, followed by France, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Andorra, and Belgium at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 22, 2025.
Recognition does not make or break a state; it mostly carries largely symbolic and political weight, but lawyer and Franco-British law professor Philippe Sands highlights that “it is sort of a game changer.” Sands further explains that recognition puts “Palestine and Israel on level footing in terms of their treatment under international law.”
Open Canada adds to the discussion on the war: “Ottawa’s recognition means that it will now have to view the war between Israel and Palestine as a war between two states, with one having effectively invaded and occupied another.”
BBC explains that recognition has added to the “huge international pressure over [Israel’s] military action in Gaza.” Also looking into Israel’s perspective, BBC says, at the UN General Assembly, on Sept. 26, 2025, “Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has attacked the recognition of a Palestinian state by multiple Western countries.” Netanyahu labelled the recognition move as a “mark of shame that sent the message that murdering Jews pays off.”
International Business Times explains that in the same speech, Netanyahu rejected Palestinian statehood and “vowed to ‘finish the job’ against Hamas.” Continuing, they refer to the Associated Press, which says, “Netanyahu accused European leaders of pushing Israel into ‘national suicide’ and rewarding Hamas.”
Moreover, Netanyahu said remaining members of Hamas “vow to repeat the atrocities of October 7… That is why Israel must finish the job.” Over the course of Netanyahu’s speech, over 100 diplomats from more than 50 countries walked out.
As a solution to the crisis, President Donald Trump of the United States has issued a 20-point peace plan. The plan addresses deradicalizing and redeveloping Gaza as a terror-free zone, ending the war, returning hostages, sending aid, initially governing Gaza with a Board of Peace, demilitarizing Hamas, and creating a pathway to Palestinian self-determination.
Israel has accepted the plan, announcing it alongside America. Hamas has accepted several points of the plan, specifically referring to the acceptance of hostage releases, but would like some changes, such as the Gaza administration being run by Palestinians rather than the Board of Peace.
However, there have been several protests and critiques of Trump’s peace plan. An opinion piece by Le Monde reports an interview with Robert Malley, a former American diplomat. Malley participated in peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine under U.S. presidents Clinton, Obama, and Biden. In this opinion piece, Malley particularly “questions the relevance of the two-state solution.” He sees the peace plan “as another repetition of history,” and “foresees the creation of a new international mandate, once again under British command and, as in the past, developed without consultation with the Palestinian population.”
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports that “when [Trump’s] moment came to end the war in Gaza and build a sustainable future for both Israelis and Palestinians, he failed.” Trump’s take on the issue is further criticized, saying that although the plan contains vague references to the Arab world contributing security forces, Trump and Netanyahu “have been intimately involved working together.” It is highlighted that “as the two men announced this… peace plan, not a single Arab leader was in the room.”
BBC reports Hamas’ take on the peace plan. They report that Hamas has agreed to release all the remaining Israeli hostages, “according to the exchange formula contained in President Trump’s proposal,” but seeks to further negotiate “on other issues regarding the future of Gaza and the rights of Palestinians.”
The report continues saying, “Trump gave Hamas a Sunday deadline to accept the peace plan or face all hell.” However, after Hamas’ response, Trump posted on Truth Social, “I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE.”