145 Out of 193 UN Members Recognize Palestine as a State

Palestine is now officially recognized as a country by 145 out of 193 United Nations member states. This is a big step in its long fight to be accepted as an independent state. The latest countries to offer recognition include Spain, Ireland, and Norway. Many nations are showing more support for Palestine as concerns grow over the situation in Gaza and the lack of peace talks. While this doesn’t give Palestine full UN membership, it does give it more support and recognition around the world.

Recognition Overview: What the Numbers Say

Out of the 193 countries in the United Nations, 145 now recognize Palestine as a state. This includes most countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Some European countries have also recently joined the list, such as Spain, Ireland, and Norway. The movement to recognize Palestine started in 1988, when the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) declared statehood. Since then, support has grown steadily. Today, the majority of UN members view Palestine as a sovereign state, even though some powerful countries still do not.

Recognition vs. Full UN Membership

Even though many countries now recognize Palestine as a state, it is not a full member of the United Nations. Instead, Palestine holds a “non-member observer” status at the UN. This means it can attend meetings and join some international organizations, but it doesn’t have full voting rights.

Becoming a full UN member requires approval from the UN Security Council, where countries like the United States have blocked the move in the past. So, while recognition by 145 countries shows strong global support, it doesn’t automatically lead to full membership or legal powers within the UN.

Countries Yet to Recognize Palestine

Despite growing international support, several UN member states have not recognized Palestine as a sovereign state. These include the United States, Israel, Germany, and the United Kingdom. These countries continue to support a negotiated two-state solution and have not made formal moves toward recognition. The position of these states has remained largely unchanged in recent years, even as more countries have shifted their stance.

Reactions from Key Nations and the UN

Palestinian officials have welcomed the latest wave of recognitions, calling it a meaningful step toward justice and equal rights. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued statements thanking countries like Spain and Ireland for their support.

On the other side, Israel has rejected the recognitions, stating that such moves bypass direct negotiations and could harm the peace process. Israeli leaders argue that any resolution should be reached through talks, not international declarations.

At the United Nations, support for Palestine has grown in recent resolutions. Some member states have also urged the Security Council to revisit Palestine’s full membership application, though strong opposition from key members remains a major hurdle.