Portugal is set to officially recognize Palestine as a state
Next week, nine other nations including France and the UK are also expected to grant recognition to Palestinian statehood
Portugal has joined Australia, Canada, France, and the United Kingdom in announcing its decision to officially recognize Palestine as a state.
In a statement released on Friday, the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the recognition will take effect on Sunday, one day before a high-level UN General Assembly (UNGA) conference on Palestinian statehood.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms that Portugal will recognize the State of Palestine,” the statement read. “The official declaration will take place on Sunday, September 21, ahead of next week’s High-Level Conference.”
According to Correio da Manhã, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro consulted with the president and parliament before finalizing the decision, bringing an end to nearly 15 years of parliamentary debate on the issue. The proposal was first introduced by the Left Bloc party in 2011.
Global Reaction
Portugal’s announcement follows a landmark UN inquiry that concluded Israel’s war on Gaza amounts to genocide. Since October 2023, at least 65,141 Palestinians have been killed and 165,925 injured, with thousands more believed to be trapped under rubble.
Lisbon had already signaled its intentions in July, citing the escalating conflict, worsening humanitarian crisis, and repeated Israeli threats to annex Palestinian land.
Earlier on Friday, an adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron said that Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, and San Marino also intend to recognize Palestinian statehood, alongside France, at Monday’s UNGA meeting co-organized with Saudi Arabia. Canada and the UK have confirmed similar plans.
These nations will join the 147 UN member states representing 75 percent of the organization that had already recognized Palestine as of April 2025.
Portugal also voted in favor of allowing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to address the UNGA by video after the US denied him a visa. Five countries Israel, the US, Paraguay, Nauru, and Palau opposed the measure, while six abstained.
Backlash from Israel and the US
Both Israel and the US have condemned the growing wave of recognition. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called France’s move a “reckless decision” that only strengthens Hamas propaganda. Meanwhile, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich warned last year that a new illegal settlement would be built in the occupied West Bank for every country that recognizes Palestine.
Luxembourg Moves Toward Sanctions
Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden and Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel told parliament this week that their country also plans to recognize Palestine at the UNGA. Bettel further announced plans to propose a bill enabling additional measures, including sanctions, according to broadcaster RTL Lëtzebuerg.
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese has urged the international community to impose sanctions and an arms embargo on Israel to help end the war on Gaza.
Historical Context
The UN’s 1947 partition plan allocated 45 percent of historic Palestine to an Arab state. At the time, the organization had only 57 members, with many nations still under colonial rule unable to cast their votes.
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