The recognition of a Palestinian state has become a key point in global diplomacy, with over 145 countries acknowledging Palestine as an independent nation. This movement began in 1988, when the Palestine National Council declared the establishment of the state of Palestine. In the years since, many nations, primarily in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, have formally extended recognition. Recently, European and Caribbean nations have also joined the list, reflecting growing calls for Palestinian self-determination amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Countries such as Ireland, Norway, Spain, and Barbados made their recognition official in 2024, with Australia, Canada, and France also expressing their intention to support Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly. This global recognition continues to challenge the political dynamics in the region, particularly concerning Israel and its actions.
List of Countries That Have Recognised the Palestinian State
Here is a comprehensive list of countries that have recognised Palestine as a state, broken down by region:
Africa
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Argentina
- Armenia (2024)
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Barbados (2024)
- Belarus
- Belize
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Chile
- China
- Colombia (2018)
- Comoros
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Cyprus
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- East Timor
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guatemala (2013)
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti (2013)
- Honduras
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland (2024)
- Ivory Coast
- Jamaica (2024)
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mexico (2023)
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Korea
- Norway (2024)
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Qatar
- Republic of Congo
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Saint Kitts and Nevis (2019)
- Saint Lucia (2015)
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Slovakia
- Slovenia (2024)
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Spain (2024)
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Sweden (2014)
- Syria
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand (2012)
- The Bahamas (2024)
- Togo
- Trinidad and Tobago (2024)
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Turkmenistan
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Vatican (2015)
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Recent Recognitions
- Ireland, Norway, Spain, Barbados, Jamaica, and others joined the growing list of countries officially recognising Palestine in 2024.
- Australia, Canada, and France have signaled their intent to extend recognition at the UN General Assembly in September 2025.
Political Context and Global Impact
The increasing recognition of Palestine as a state contrasts with the United States‘ position, which has often been at odds with several of its allies on the matter. This divide is amplified by the Gaza humanitarian crisis, where countries like Ireland, Norway, and Spain have shifted their stance in support of Palestinian self-determination.
This growing diplomatic acknowledgment reflects not only the ongoing political and humanitarian issues surrounding Israel and Palestine, but also the evolving role of international organizations, like the UN, in pushing for a peaceful resolution to the decades-long conflict.
Conclusion
The official recognition of a Palestinian state continues to gather momentum globally. As over 145 nations lend their support, the call for Palestinian self-determination and sovereignty gains greater traction, posing a significant challenge to global diplomatic relations, particularly with key players like the United States. As the issue remains unresolved, the global community’s growing stance reflects the shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East and beyond.








