Portugal says it will recognise Palestinian state

A host of countries, including France and the UK, are expected to do the same when world leaders gather at the UN General Assembly next week.

Watch LiveBritish Broadcasting CorporationHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListTo the Ends of The Earth EarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcast CategoriesRadioAudio FAQsVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherNewslettersWatch LivePortugal confirms it will recognise Palestinian state7 hours agoShareSaveRachel HaganShareSaveGetty ImagesDemonstrations have been held in Portugal demanding a ceasefire in GazaPortugal says it will recognise a Palestinian state on Sunday, making it the latest Western nation preparing to shift policy as the war in the Gaza Strip shows no sign of stopping.

The foreign ministry made the announcement ahead of next week's United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

France, the UK, Canada and Australia are preparing similar announcements.

Israel has denounced the move, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying it "rewards terror" following Hamas's 7 October 2023 attack on Israel.

The US - Israel's main ally - has echoed Netanyahu's argument.