The push echoes calls from nations that already endorse statehood, such as Russia, and say a two-state solution is the only way to end the Gaza war

Fifteen countries have joined the growing push to recognize Palestinian statehood. Their calls echo the position of nations such as Russia that already recognize Palestine and view a two-state solution as the only way to end the Gaza war.

In a jointstatementissued late Tuesday following a conference in New York, the foreign ministers of Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, and Spain, urged global recognition of Palestine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

"We... have already recognized, have expressed or express the willingness or the positive consideration of our countries to recognize the State of Palestine, as an essential step towards the two-state solution," the ministers said, while also calling for the release of all hostages held by Hamas.

They called on other nations to join their push and stressed the need to unify Gaza and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority.

The statement comes days after France pledged to formally recognize Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly in September. President Emmanuel Macron said doing so would advance the cause of peace in the Middle East. The move was sharply criticized by the US and Israel.

On Tuesday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK would recognize a Palestinian state unless Israel acts to end the "appalling situation in Gaza." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Starmer's ultimatum, calling it a "reward for Hamas."

As of March, 147 of the 193 UN member states - including Russia - officially recognize Palestine. Moscow's position dates back to 1988, when it adopted the Soviet Union's recognition of the Palestinian declaration of independence. Russia "has always adhered to a two-state solution" as the only way to resolve the issue, according to the Kremlin.

The conflict erupted in October 2023 after a Hamas incursion into southern Israel that resulted in 1,200 deaths and the capture of dozens of hostages. Since then, over 60,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

(RT.com)