A wave of recognition
On September 21 the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia officially recognized Palestine as a state. Soon afte,r France joined in and announced it would not only recognize Palestine but also open an embassy there. Belgium is expected to follow during the UN General Assembly.
This marks a turning point. For decades, many Western governments avoided taking a clear stand. Now the tide is shifting.
Netanyahu’s threat
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted quickly with a video statement. He declared:
“There will never be a Palestinian state west of the Jordan River.”
“I have blocked this terrorist state for years by expanding Jewish settlements, and I will continue down this road.”
“When I return from the United States, I will respond. Wait and see.”
That was not diplomacy. That was a threat. And to be honest, it looks like someone forgot to shave their little mustache clean. NetYahoo is starting to look like he is cosplaying a dictator from the 1940s.
Someone forgot to shave his little mustache clean.
The pressure from the far right
Inside Israel, his far-right allies are pushing for even more extreme steps. Finance Minister Smotrich has called for full annexation of the West Bank, saying the idea of a Palestinian state must be erased once and for all.
Other voices inside Israel predict a smaller move, such as annexing parts of “Area C” where Israel already controls both security and civil administration. Either way, the direction is clear. Negotiation is being replaced by permanent occupation.
The American umbrella
Netanyahu feels secure because he knows he has the United States behind him. CNN noted that without Trump’s support, Netanyahu would have few options. With that support, he believes he can act without limits.
US Secretary of State Rubio even admitted he tried to persuade governments not to recognize Palestine, arguing it would backfire. None of those governments changed their position. That shows America still shields Israel, but no longer holds enough sway over Europe.
China and Russia were first
It is important to remember that Palestine’s recognition is not new. Back in 1988, China and the Soviet Union both recognized Palestine as a state and established diplomatic relations. Many countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America followed.
The truth is that the Global South has recognized Palestine for decades. Western governments are the ones arriving decades late. France taking the extra step of planning an embassy is significant because it turns words into an actual diplomatic presence.
Western values exposed
Where are the slogans about human rights, democracy, and freedom when Gaza lies in ruins? They vanish. The same governments that praise values at home have supported policies abroad that deny those very values.
European countries are not suddenly acting out of compassion. They are reacting to Israel’s refusal to change course. Patience has run out.
The trend
Diplomatic breakthrough. As of September 2025, over 150 UN member states recognize Palestine, including China, Russia, and now major European states.
Transatlantic split. America still offers unconditional support for Israel. Europe is slowly stepping away.
Growing legitimacy. Israel denies Palestine’s existence, but the international system is steadily reinforcing it.
Side note
Jimmy Kimmel’s show was canceled under pressure but later restored after public outcry. That proves something simple. Pressure works. When people unite, the facts on the ground can change.
The problem is that today, only one country refuses to change. That country is the United States. As long as Washington backs Israel, the conflict will remain frozen.
