Al- Arab in UK platform has sent official letters of appreciation to the governments of eight Western countries—namely the United Kingdom, Spain, Canada, Portugal, Australia, Belgium, France, and Malta—following their recent decisions to officially recognize the State of Palestine.
The platform described these steps as historic, carrying profound political and ethical significance, as they reaffirm the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and send a clear message of commitment to the principles of international law, justice, and human rights.
The platform emphasized that these recognitions should not be reduced to their symbolic dimension alone. Rather, they must be translated into tangible, practical measures that help end the ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip, lift the long-standing blockade, and seriously address decades of occupation that have deprived Palestinians of their most basic rights.
It highlighted that the messages were issued at an extremely sensitive time, as Gaza continues to witness daily massacres, increasing the urgent need for a stronger and more decisive international stance.
In the letter addressed to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the platform stressed that his government’s decision to recognize the State of Palestine represents a pivotal moment in the trajectory of British policy and reaffirms London’s commitment to international justice. At the same time, it underscored that this step will remain incomplete unless followed by practical measures, including halting the ongoing genocide, pursuing war criminals, and taking serious steps to end the suffering of the Palestinian people.
The letter sent to Spain’s Ambassador in London, José Pascual Marco Martínez, included special praise for a series of decisions and measures taken by Madrid, including the suspension of arms exports to Israel, the cancellation of certain trade agreements, and its active role within the European Union and the United Nations in calling for an end to the war on Gaza.
In Canada, the platform sent a letter of thanks to the Canadian High Commissioner in London, Ralph Goodale, describing Ottawa’s recognition of Palestine as a “bold step” reflecting a steadfast commitment to justice and human dignity. A similar letter was sent to Portugal’s Ambassador, Nuno Prieto, praising his country’s recognition as a model of ethical leadership at a time when the world urgently needs such courageous stances.
Regarding Australia, the platform addressed the Australian High Commissioner in London, Stephen Francis Smith, considering his country’s recognition of the State of Palestine as evidence of moral courage and a genuine commitment to the rule of law and human rights. Likewise, Belgium was thanked through a letter to its Ambassador in London, Gerwin Courman, affirming that the country chose to stand on “the right side of history.”
In its message to France’s Ambassador in London, Hélène Tréhou-Duchêne, the platform lauded Paris’s recognition of the State of Palestine but simultaneously called for continued international pressure to halt crimes in Palestine, hold those responsible accountable, and support the efforts of the International Criminal Court.
As for Malta, the platform praised its stance in a letter to High Commissioner Stephen Montefort, affirming that the country’s “moral voice” within the European Union surpasses its small geographic size and demonstrates that principled positions cannot be measured solely by political or economic power.
