It has now been almost two full months since the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) formally declared its support to a two-state solution amidst the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the West Bank, led by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The action took place on 21 September 2025 and was followed by the recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state by the British government. Since then, not much has changed.
As time passes and no effective international action towards a lasting ceasefire takes place, the UK’s role as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and major geopolitical influence is brought into question. Simultaneously, developing nations such as Brazil – a country in which Palestine has been recognised as a formal state for over a decade – have stood out as functional allies to the Palestinian cause. But what makes Britain so different from this South American nation on the matter?
Brazil’s unhesitating stand
Far from being a new development, the Brazilian government’s position on the State of Palestine as a sovereign nation took place almost 15 years ago, on 3 December 2010, under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s second term in office. The acknowledgement was based on the territory’s previous 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Characterised by a long-standing recognition of the Palestinian state, Brazil’s position on the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been reinforced by Lula’s recent pushes for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
Early recognition aligned Brazil with most countries in the Global South, signalling foreign policy strategies rooted in the right to the core principles of international law. The country’s continuous support has since been a foundational pillar of its diplomacy in the Middle East.
Britain’s late recognition
The formal recognition of a Palestinian state by the United Kingdom is primarily a political and symbolic act aimed at supporting the two-state solution. While this diplomatic shift is a significant move that provides a moral and diplomatic boost to the Palestinian cause, its immediate and direct improvements in humanitarian matters on the ground are more likely to be seen through subsequent actions and reinforced international pressure, rather than through the act of recognition alone.
What it means to be recognised
On the British side, the recognition has been described by Palestinian Ambassador Husam Zomlot as an “irreversible step towards justice” and is a historic move to affirm the “inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination”. Representatives agree that it must be followed by concrete action, including securing a ceasefire, releasing all hostages, and ending the illegal settlement expansion.
According to a note released by the UK’s FCDO, the main goal behind recognising Palestine as a state is “to protect the viability of a two-state solution and create a path towards lasting peace for the Israeli and Palestinian people”. As stated, this decision is grounded in the belief that a two-state solution is the only path to a lasting peace and freedom from the violation of human rights currently affecting the region.
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Practical changes
Politically, Brazil’s diplomatic representatives have had active participation in international conferences, co-chairing working groups to develop a coordinated international framework for peace, security, and the future governance of the Palestinian territories. Furthermore, Brazil remains a staunch supporter of upgrading Palestine’s status to a full UN Member State. As argued by President Lula, this advancement is an essential step to the correction of a historical asymmetry and should allow both Palestine and Israel to negotiate on truly equal terms.
When it comes to fairness of judgement, the Brazilian government has announced its intention to formally intervene in the case brought before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) by South Africa concerning the Genocide Convention. This legal move underscores Brazil’s commitment to accountability and the enforcement of international law. In a moment of heightened conflict, Brazil used its revolving presidency of the UN Security Council to push for a resolution demanding a humanitarian pause and a cessation of hostilities.
Despite having had less time to act after the formal recognition of Palestine, Britain’s position towards practical changes remains minimal. In addition to formally supporting the two-state solution by recognising both states, results of the UK federal government’s decision include six major practical changes in the country’s positioning regarding foreign policy matters:
- Full ambassadorial status: The Palestinian head of mission in London, Dr. Husam Zomlot, has now been elevated from a “diplomatic mission” representative to a fully recognised Ambassador. This grants the representative greater formal access, rights, and prestige within the UK diplomatic community, putting them on an equal footing with the Israeli ambassador.
- Full diplomatic rights: Palestinian mission will operate with the full privileges and immunities accorded to any embassy under international law, easing their ability to conduct state business, issue official documents, and engage with the UK government.
- Geographical terminology: The FCDO and other government websites have updated their language, moving away from consistently referring to the area as the “Occupied Palestinian Territories” to using “Palestine” or “State of Palestine” for the West Bank and Gaza.
- Updated travel advice: Official FCDO travel advice and maps of the region have been updated to reflect the recognition of Palestine as a state.
- Ability to enter treaties: As a recognised state, Palestine can now formally enter into bilateral treaties and agreements with the United Kingdom, covering areas like trade, cultural exchange, and development aid, with enhanced legal standing under international law.
- Pressure on settlements: Recognition places a greater legal and political onus on the UK to condemn Israeli settlements built on internationally recognised Palestinian territory.
Although perhaps being the most relevant change when it comes to practical matters, the last measure mentioned is only possible once.
Humanitarian measures
The offensive in Gaza led to a devastating death toll, reported by the Gaza Ministry of Health as exceeding 67,000 Palestinians, the vast majority being women and children. The entire population has faced a collapse of the health system and, according to the UN and the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), the onset of widespread famine due to the severe blockade and restrictions on humanitarian aid. In the West Bank, violence has also escalated, with hundreds of Palestinians killed in military operations and settler attacks.
At this point, the public positions Brazil and Britain diverge significantly. While having hardened its tone and called for “sustainable ceasefires”, the UK government has abstained in crucial UN votes on the matter, along with facing legal and political challenges at home regarding the continuation of arms sales licenses to Israel. In contrast, the Brazilian government has been one of the most prominent global voices demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire. President Lula explicitly accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and supported South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), causing a major diplomatic crisis with Israel.
Unlike Britain’s more cautious diplomatic stance, Brazil has been active in its condemnation and in ensuring humanitarian support reaches Palestinian families. The country reinforced its ongoing support for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) – including with additional financial contributions – at a time when the UK and other nations had temporarily paused their funding, recognising the organisation’s critical role. Brazilian authorities have also facilitated humanitarian assistance, including essential supplies, to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian population.
The UK and the Middle East
The United Kingdom’s connection to the conflict between Palestine and Israel runs far deeper than its mere recognition of the region in 2025. Following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, in the 20th century, and the end of the First World War, France and the United Kingdom divided the Middle East under the mandate of the League of Nations, established in April 1920. France took control of Lebanon and Syria, while Britain assumed control of Iraq and Palestine. The latter became known as the British Mandate for Palestine, a strategic region for international trade routes.
After the Second World War and the Holocaust, the global pressure arose for the creation of a Jewish state. Without consulting the Palestinian population, on 14 May 1948, the State of Israel was declared with the support of the United Nations (UN). Far from symbolising peace, the event triggered a new conflict: the very next day, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq invaded Israel, sparking the First Arab – Israeli War. Since then, periods of peace have been rare. Palestinian territories have been progressively and violently occupied by Israel, forcing thousands of families to flee or live under constant threat.
This European control over Palestinian territory is directly linked to the current conflict. British colonial rule restricted the political participation of the local population, establishing a system of domination grounded in the notion of racial and ethno-cultural superiority. Beyond cultural violence, this British presence in the Middle East also created fertile ground for the development of hygienist and genocidal ideologies that continue to shape the present-day conflict.
Brazil on the Global Stage
Since the 1930s, Brazil’s foreign policy has shifted from close alignment with the United States during World War II and the Cold War to a more independent and multilateral approach. After the military dictatorship’s return to U.S.-oriented diplomacy, Brazil regained autonomy with the rise of the Partido dos Trabalhadores (Workers’ Party) in 2003. Under the governments of Presidents Lula and Dilma, the country strengthened South to South relations, joined BRICS, expanded humanitarian cooperation, and gained global diplomatic visibility, despite controversial actions such as leading the UN mission in Haiti.
The Bolsonaro government reversed this trend by aligning with conservative Western powers and distancing Brazil from multilateralism. Now, in his third term, Lula restored Brazil’s independent, multilateral foreign policy, advocating for UN reform, peace negotiations, and a more balanced global order. Brazil has also emerged as a humanitarian leader, receiving large numbers of refugees. The country’s trajectory highlights a consistent defense of dialogue, peace, and self-determination, positioning its diplomacy as a potential model for the world.
And what about Israel?
The increasing international recognition of a Palestinian state is viewed by Israel as a significant diplomatic and strategic threat that directly undercuts its negotiating position. It contributes to Israel’s growing international isolation and puts pressure on other Western states, such as Germany, to follow suit. Meanwhile, the growing support for Palestine is seen by Israeli representatives as an illegitimate attempt to impose a solution on regional matters.
By hindering Israel’s actions on the international stage, statements issued by various foreign representatives worldwide could, eventually, constrain the country’s military and economic activities. But is this international pressure enough to stop the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) from breaking ceasefire agreements and relentlessly violating Palestinian human rights? Considering the yearly billion-dollar investments made by the United States’ government on protecting Israeli interests, probably not.
While still attempting to reduce reluctance on a peace agreement by Donald Trump’s far-right administration, global peers such as Brazil remain fighting for a secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state, led by a reformed Palestinian Authority.
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