Palestine is recognized by 4 members of the UN Security Council with veto power, only the United States is not

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Four of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) with veto power have now officially recognized the State of Palestine.

These countries are China, Russia, England and France. The last two names have recently confirmed their recognition, so so far only the United States has not followed this step.

Israel’s military aggression, which caused a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, has once again brought the issue of Palestinian sovereignty back to the international scene. Britain and France, who had previously often sided with Israel, took a historic step forward by supporting Palestine as a state.

This development marks a new chapter in the dynamics of international politics regarding the Palestinian struggle, as well as giving a strong signal of increasingly widespread global support for the independence of the Palestinian people.

The following is a further explanation of the recognition by four of the five countries of the right of veto in the UN Security Council over Palestinian independence, based on information gathered from various sources.

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4 UN Security Council veto-holding countries recognizing Palestinian independence

1. France

For decades, France has been known for its caution in responding to the Palestinian issue and has often been seen as leaning towards Israel. However, in July 2025, President Emmanuel Macron publicly stated that his country would officially recognize Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly forum.

It really delivered on that promise. At the conference on the two-state solution held on Tuesday (22/9), Macron expressed this official recognition, which he then reiterated in the general debate of the United Nations General Assembly.

“In line with my country’s historic commitment to the Middle East, to peace between Israel and Palestine, this is why I declare that today France recognizes the State of Palestine,” Macron said.

2. England

On September 21, Great Britain officially declared its recognition of Palestine. This decision represents a historic step after the country had taken a cautious and generally pro-Israel attitude for a long time.

The British government has called this recognition part of its commitment to safeguarding the prospects of a two-state solution. The goals include ending the war in Gaza, ending Israel’s construction of illegal settlements in the West Bank, and encouraging internal reform on the Palestinian side.

Although its implementation still presents many challenges, this step is seen as a great symbol. Furthermore, Britain itself has a long history as it was the party that gave birth to Israel through the Balfour Declaration of 2 November 1917, which then led to the founding of Israel in 1948.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed: “Today, to revive hopes for peace for Palestine and Israel, as well as for a two-state solution, the United Kingdom officially recognizes the State of Palestine,” Starmer said.

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3. China

China has recognized Palestine since 1988 and to this day has been one of the strongest supporters of realizing the two-state solution. Since the era of Mao Zedong, Beijing has consistently provided support to the national liberation movement.

Although China only established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992, China remains steadfast in supporting Palestine, including lobbying for Palestine to gain full membership in the United Nations.

The Bamboo Curtain country has repeatedly underlined its position of supporting the formation of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

While its support is clear politically, China’s concrete steps tend to be calculated. Beijing’s main goal is still to maintain regional stability and strengthen its image as a global power that supports developing countries.

4.Russia

The Soviet Union, which later transformed into the Russian Federation, immediately recognized the Palestinian declaration of independence of 15 November 1988, announced in Algiers by Yasser Arafat, leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia continued this recognition. In fact, Russia was one of the first countries to officially support the creation of the State of Palestine.

Moscow’s position is consistent in pushing for a two-state solution based on UN resolutions and international law. President Vladimir Putin reiterated that this position has never changed. “We have long recognized the State of Palestine since the era of the Soviet Union. Our approach in this matter has not changed,” Putin said, June 6, 2024.

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The United States did not recognize Palestinian independence

Until now, the United States remains the only permanent member of the UN Security Council holding veto rights that has not granted official recognition to Palestine, and continues to fully and consistently support Israel’s position in various international forums.

However, recently Donald Trump as President of the United States, after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, September 29, expressed his support for his proposed plan to end the conflict in Gaza.

In his opening speech, Netanyahu stressed that the plan was designed so that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel’s security. Trump then outlined a 20-point plan aimed at ending the war between Israel and Hamas and establishing a post-war government in the crisis-hit Palestinian region.

The contents of the plan emphasize that Gaza residents are not forced to leave their territory and call for an immediate end to the war if agreed upon by both sides. In addition to this, the agreement also provides for the release of all hostages within two hours of Israel’s approval of the plan.

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