Source: compiled by Le Monde
On Monday, September 22, during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, and Andorra declared they were recognizing the State of Palestine. The day before, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal had also recognized Palestine. These historic decisions bring to 156 the number of countries that currently recognize the Palestinian state.
In June 2024, Armenia and Slovenia had taken the same step, amid the deadly war in the Gaza Strip. A month earlier, Spain, Ireland, and Norway had joined the list in a similar attempt to revive talks on a two-state solution.
The European Union (EU) remains divided on the issue. Before Sweden's recognition in 2014, the few member states that had recognized a Palestinian state – mainly countries from the former Soviet bloc – had done so before joining the EU.
Since the creation of the State of Israel in 1948, various Palestinian political movements have made the establishment of an independent Palestinian state one of their main demands. In 1988, the unilateral declaration of independence by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) led 82 countries to officially recognize Palestine. Among them were a majority of African and Middle Eastern countries, as well as some from what was then the Soviet bloc.
Many other countries gradually followed suit, particularly in South America in the early 2010s (Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Uruguay, among others). Against the backdrop of Israel's war in Gaza, which has claimed over 55,000 lives, an additional nine countries recognized the State of Palestine in 2024. The 156 countries that now recognize Palestine amount to more than three-quarters of the UN member states.
Growing recognition of the State of Palestine
Cumulative number of countries that have recognized a Palestinian state since the declaration of independence in 1988
Graph using data, use accessibility options to view raw data or enhance contrast.
This chart includes 151 United Nations member states and the Vatican. It includes Malta, which was expected to finish the recognition process started in 1988 by 2025.
In November 2012, Palestine was admitted as a non-member observer state at the UN. This status allows it to attend most meetings and access documentation, but does not grant voting rights, the ability to propose resolutions, or eligibility for UN offices. In May 2024, France had reiterated at the UN the need to admit Palestine as a full member.
Translation of an original article published in French on lemonde.fr; the publisher may only be liable for the French version.