As more countries express willingness to recognize a Palestinian state, some express reservation over Hamas role

The government of France was not successful in its attempt to get a large number of countries to recognize a Palestinian state during the UN Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-state solution in New York on Tuesday. 

While several countries expressed interest in joining a future resolution on such a recognition, France failed to secure a definitive statement at the conference. Several Arab states have stated that any recognition of a Palestinian state should be contingent on the disarmament of Hamas and its removal from Gaza.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong highlighted her nation's unwillingness to recognize a Palestinian state while the issue of Hamas was undecided. 

Despite the setback, at least nine countries reportedly signaled interest in joining an international initiative to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in September.

The Israeli government, meanwhile, has described efforts to recognize a Palestinian state before the end of the war and the defeat of Hamas as a reward for the terror organization. 

The terror group appears to agree with the Israeli assessment. Hamas official Bassem Naim released a statement on social media shortly after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s recent announcement of the UK's intent to support a Palestinian state, declaring “a global revolution in support of the Palestinian right to freedom and self-determination.” 

“Based on my close monitoring of the international situation, what is happening today around the world is not just a solidarity campaign, but a true global revolution in support of the Palestinian right to freedom and self-determination,” Naim wrote. 

Hamas official: "The international support for Palestinian self-determination shows we are moving in the right direction. Victory and liberation are closer than we expected." pic.twitter.com/30HfQXmveJ

— Khaled Abu Toameh (@KhaledAbuToameh) July 30, 2025

The British government responded to comments from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump – who characterized the moves by the United Kingdom and France as a reward for Hamas – by denying that the recognition efforts were intended as such.

“This is not a reward for Hamas. Hamas is a vile terrorist organization that has committed appalling atrocities. This is about the Palestinian people. It's about those children that we see in Gaza who are starving to death,” British Transport Minister Heidi Alexander told LBC radio. 

When asked by reporters whether he had coordinated with Starmer on the announcement, Trump replied, “We never did discuss it.”

Trump also appeared to agree with the Israeli position, stating, “You could make the case that you’re rewarding people, that you’re rewarding Hamas if you do that. I don’t think they should be rewarded. I’m not in that camp, to be honest.” 

REPORTER: "Is there any use at all in pressuring Israel now to come to some sort of longer-term solution?"@POTUS: "If you do that, you really are rewarding Hamas — and I'm not about to do that."

Thank you President Trump! pic.twitter.com/GYcNvsy5Ja

— Arsen Ostrovsky 🎗️ (@Ostrov_A) July 30, 2025

Despite the British government's protests, Naim hailed the moves by the European and other nations to recognize a Palestinian state as both “victory and liberation.” 

He said the support “extends beyond the borders of the great city, the miracle-maker and founder of future glory, Gaza. I do not believe that any city or cause in human history has achieved the same consensus and steadfast support, despite all differences in religion, ethnicity, and language, as Gaza and Palestine.”

“The road seems long, arduous, and painful, and the price is high and dear, but we are moving in the right direction, and victory and liberation are closer than we expect,” Naim stated. “Our enemy and its allies know this well.” 

British-Israeli former hostage Emily Damari slammed Starmer’s announcement. In a post on Instagram, she wrote, “This is not diplomacy – it is a moral failure. Shame on you, Prime Minister.” 

“As a dual British-Israeli citizen who survived 471 days in Hamas captivity, I am deeply saddened by Prime Minister Starmer's decision to recognize Palestinian statehood,” Damari continued. “This move does not advance peace – it risks rewarding terror. It sends a dangerous message: that violence earns legitimacy.” 

She said such a recognition is merely “prolonging the conflict.”