About 75 per cent of UN member states recognise Palestinian statehood. AFP
About 75 per cent of UN member states recognise Palestinian statehood. AFP
About 75 per cent of UN member states recognise Palestinian statehood. AFP
About 75 per cent of UN member states recognise Palestinian statehood. AFP

News

MENA

Which countries recognise Palestine?

France says it will recognise a Palestinian state, joining more than 140 nations in doing so

The National

July 25, 2025

  • English
  • Arabic

President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will recognise a Palestinian state, as anger mounts over the death toll and worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

More than 140 countries recognise Palestinian statehood, but Israel and the US are staunchly opposed. France would become the biggest European power and first G7 state to do so. It will join fellow European countries Norway, Ireland and Spain in recognising Palestine.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called the French decision a 'slap in the face' to the victims of the attack on October 7, 2023. Reuters
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called the French decision a 'slap in the face' to the victims of the attack on October 7, 2023. Reuters

To date, only nine EU members have taken the step, making France’s move significant, especially given its status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

But worldwide, about 75 per cent of UN members recognise Palestinian statehood. They are as follows:

  • Algeria
  • Bahrain
  • Indonesia
  • Iraq
  • Kuwait
  • Libya
  • Malaysia
  • Mauritania
  • Morocco
  • Somalia
  • Tunisia
  • Turkey
  • Yemen
  • Afghanistan
  • Bangladesh
  • Cuba
  • Jordan
  • Madagascar
  • Nicaragua
  • Pakistan
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Serbia
  • Zambia
  • Albania
  • Brunei
  • Djibouti
  • Mauritius
  • Sudan
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Slovakia
  • Egypt
  • The Gambia
  • India
  • Nigeria
  • Seychelles
  • Sri Lanka
  • Namibia
  • Russia
  • Belarus
  • Ukraine
  • Vietnam
  • China
  • Burkina Faso
  • Comoros
  • Guinea
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Cambodia
  • Mali
  • Mongolia
  • Senegal
  • Hungary
  • Cape Verde
  • North Korea
  • Niger
  • Romania
  • Tanzania
  • Bulgaria
  • Maldives
  • Ghana
  • Togo
  • Zimbabwe
  • Chad
  • Laos
  • Sierra Leone
  • Uganda
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Angola
  • Mozambique
  • Sao Tome and Principe
  • Gabon
  • Oman
  • Poland
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Botswana
  • Nepal
  • Burundi
  • Central African Republic
  • Bhutan
  • Rwanda
  • Ethiopia
  • Iran
  • Benin
  • Kenya
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Vanuatu
  • Philippines
  • Eswatini
  • Kazakhstan
  • Azerbaijan
  • Turkmenistan
  • Georgia
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Tajikistan
  • Uzbekistan
  • Papua New Guinea
  • South Africa
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Malawi
  • Timor-Leste
  • Paraguay
  • Montenegro
  • Costa Rica
  • Lebanon
  • Ivory Coast
  • Venezuela
  • Dominican Republic
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Bolivia
  • Ecuador
  • Chile
  • Guyana
  • Peru
  • Suriname
  • Uruguay
  • Lesotho
  • South Sudan
  • Syria
  • Liberia
  • El Salvador
  • Honduras
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Belize
  • Dominica
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Grenada
  • Iceland
  • Thailand
  • Guatemala
  • Haiti
  • Sweden
  • Saint Lucia
  • Colombia
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Barbados
  • Jamaica
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • The Bahamas
  • Ireland
  • Norway
  • Spain
  • Slovenia
  • Armenia
  • Mexico
UK's plans to cut net migration

Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.

Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.

But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.

Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results

2.30pm Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m

Winner Lamia, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.

3pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,000m

Winner Jap Al Afreet, Elione Chaves, Irfan Ellahi.

3.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m

Winner MH Tawag, Bernardo Pinheiro, Elise Jeanne.

4pm Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 2,000m

Winner Skygazer, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

4.30pm The Ruler of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh250,000 1,700m

Winner AF Kal Noor, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.

5pm Sharjah Marathon (PA) Dh70,000 2,700m

Winner RB Grynade, Bernardo Pinheiro, Eric Lemartinel.

While you're here
Know your Camel lingo

The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home

Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless

Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers

Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s

Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival

Updated: July 25, 2025, 9:50 AM`
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