Philippines Praises Countries Recognizing State of Palestine

The Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), on Tuesday praised several countries for formally recognizing the State of Palestine during a high-level international conference in New York City.

In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the DFA said: “The Philippines welcomes the recognition by France, Portugal, Australia, Monaco, Canada, United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Andorra of the State of Palestine at the High-Level Int’l Conference in New York City, where states are speaking in solidarity for stopping war and suffering in Gaza.”

The department reaffirmed the country’s long-standing position on the conflict, stating: “The Philippines has always stood for a two-state solution as the only viable path to peace in the Middle East.”

High-Level UN Conference Resumes

The recognition came during the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, which resumed on September 22. The event was co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia under the auspices of the United Nations (UN).

This conference follows the earlier adoption of a UN General Assembly resolution endorsing the New York Declaration. That declaration was released at the conclusion of the initial high-level summit in July and called for the implementation of the two-state solution to address the long-standing Palestine-Israel conflict.

Philippine Representation

The Philippines was represented by Permanent Representative to the United Nations Enrique Manalo, who previously served as Foreign Affairs Secretary, along with DFA Assistant Secretary Maria Teresa Almojuela. Their participation underscored the country’s continuing support for diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict through peaceful means.

Countries That Recognized Palestine

Ahead of the September gathering, several countries publicly declared their recognition of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine. Among these were Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, all of which emphasized the importance of reviving momentum for a peace settlement.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese explained his country’s decision, describing it as part of an international effort to “build new momentum for a two-state solution, starting with a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the hostages taken in the atrocities of October 7, 2023.”

Other nations, including France, Portugal, Monaco, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Andorra, also signaled their recognition during the New York conference, adding diplomatic weight to international calls for a sustainable resolution.

The Philippines’ Consistent Position

The Philippine government has consistently supported the two-state framework as the only realistic path to peace in the Middle East. This position emphasizes the coexistence of Israel and Palestine as independent states living side by side in security and harmony.

The DFA’s statement also reflected growing concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, highlighting the urgency of finding solutions to end ongoing violence and suffering.

Global Push for Peace

The international conference and the wave of new recognitions underscore renewed diplomatic energy behind the two-state solution, even as conflict in Gaza continues. With several influential countries now formally recognizing Palestine, the issue remains at the forefront of global diplomacy.

For the Philippines, aligning with these international efforts is a reaffirmation of its long-standing commitment to peace, dialogue, and multilateral solutions to conflicts that affect not only the Middle East but also the broader international community.