Elders react to France, UK, Portugal, Australia & Canada recognising Palestine (Non-UN Document)

This is a non-United Nations document. The United Nations provides these documents only as a convenience for reference purposes, and the inclusion of a document does not imply the endorsement of its content by the United Nations

22 September 2025

Juan Manuel Santos, former President of Colombia, Nobel Peace Laureate and Chair of The Elders:

“Recognition of Palestine is not the finish line – it is an essential first step. France and Saudi Arabia deserve credit for convening political leaders to drive concrete actions towards a lasting solution and creating opportunities for progress from this crisis.

Advancing Palestinian statehood can help anchor regional stability, ease tensions, and open the way to a new vision for peace and security for both Palestinians and Israelis. That vision must be grounded in political rather than military solutions, and be guided by respect for each state’s sovereignty and the rule of international law.”

Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:

“With France, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Australia, and Canada now recognising Palestine, real momentum is building. The message from the international community is clear: the conditions now exist to chart a genuine pathway to peace. This is not a time for divisive rhetoric or debates over words. It is a time for decisive action.

President Trump has before him a rare and pivotal opportunity. He can seize this moment to lead the way towards a comprehensive peace plan. History will judge not only the choices of leaders but also the courage they show when the chance for peace is within reach.”

Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and former head of the UN Development Programme:

“Let this moment of recognition of the State of Palestine be a turning point away from endless war and extremism. The war in Gaza has already gone on too long, with civilians now suffering deliberately-induced famine. States must take further action now to stop what is happening there and in the West Bank. Transfer of arms and weapons components to Israel must cease immediately, and preferential trade arrangements with Israel should be suspended. Targeted sanctions should be applied to Prime Minister Netanyahu and his war cabinet. Israel can and must take a different pathway.”

Related content: 

• UK PM statement on the recognition of Palestine 
• Australia recognises the State of Palestine
• Portugal formally recognises the Palestinian State
• Statement by Prime Minister Carney on Canada’s recognition of the State of Palestine 
• Republic of Armenia recognizes the State of Palestine – Letter from Armenia to the UN Secretary-General (A/78/939-S/2024/489)
• “To build peace, recognise State of Palestine”, Elders’ open letter urges Canada, France and UK leaders (Non-UN Document) 
• The CEIRPP Bureau welcomes the expanding wave of recognitions of the State of Palestine; condemns ongoing attacks in Gaza – Statement 
• UN experts urge all States to recognise State of Palestine – Press Release
• High-Level Conference on Two-State Solution Concludes General Debate, Will Reconvene to Consider Outcome Document – Press Releases 
• Bureau of the UN Palestinian Rights Committee (CEIRPP) calls upon Trinidad and Tobago to consider recognizing the State of Palestine