The growing recognition of Palestine's sovereignty from 1989 to 2024

The recognition of Palestine as an independent state has been a contentious issue in international politics.

This year, 143 out of 193 members of the United Nations General Assembly voted in favour of Palestine joining the UN, a privilege typically reserved for recognised states.

However, this move has deepened rifts between Israel and some European Union states, with Israel recalling its envoys from three countries for "urgent consultations."

Most of the Middle East, Africa, and Asia recognise Palestinian statehood. In contrast, the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and many Western European countries do not. Despite these divisions, the number of countries recognising Palestine continues to grow.

This year, Spain, Ireland, Norway, the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and Barbados have joined the list of nations recognising Palestine. This follows a series of recognitions over the past few decades:

Recognitions by year:

2023: Mexico

2019: Saint Kitts and Nevis

2018: Colombia

2015: Saint Lucia

2014: Sweden

2013: Guatemala, Haiti, the Vatican

2012: Thailand

2011: Chile, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Lesotho, South Sudan, Syria, Liberia, El Salvador, Honduras, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Iceland.