The State of Palestine’s recognition on the international stage is a complex and contentious issue that has garnered significant attention over the years. Since its declaration of independence in 1988, Palestine has strived for international recognition, and this recognition has steadily grown. As of now, 139 countries officially recognize the State of Palestine. In this article, we provide a complete list of these countries in order of recognition date.
The Historical Context
The recognition of the State of Palestine began in November 1988, a pivotal year when several countries officially acknowledged its existence. Pakistan, Albania, Algeria, and others were among the first to extend recognition. This era marked a significant turning point for the Palestinian cause, as the international community started to acknowledge the aspirations of the Palestinian people.
Growing International Support
The recognition of Palestine continued to expand over the years. Countries across the globe, from Asia to the Americas, Africa to Europe, recognized the State of Palestine as a legitimate entity. This growing international support reflected the desire to achieve a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Middle East Influence
Several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan, recognized Palestine in 1988, underscoring the regional importance of the Palestinian cause. The recognition by these nations demonstrated their commitment to finding a just and lasting solution to the ongoing conflict.
Vatican City’s Recognition
One significant moment in the history of Palestinian recognition was when the Vatican officially recognized Palestine on June 26, 2015. This move by the Holy See was a symbolic gesture of support and was met with both praise and controversy. It marked a milestone in the diplomatic efforts to secure Palestine’s status.
Challenges and Controversies
The recognition of the State of Palestine has not been without its share of challenges and controversies. The ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the status of Jerusalem, and the question of borders continue to be major obstacles to a comprehensive and lasting peace agreement.
Conclusion
The recognition of the State of Palestine by 139 countries worldwide is a testament to the international community’s desire for a peaceful and just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While this recognition is a significant step, many challenges remain, and the path to a lasting solution is still fraught with complexities.
As we continue to witness evolving dynamics in the region, the global recognition of Palestine stands as a symbolic and diplomatic commitment to support the Palestinian people’s aspirations for statehood and self-determination. The hope remains that through diplomatic efforts and negotiations, a comprehensive and sustainable peace agreement can be achieved in the future.
The State of Palestine is recognized by 139 countries (Complete List by Recognition Date)
- Pakistan 🇵🇰 – Nov 1988
- Albania 🇦🇱 – Nov 1988
- Algeria 🇩🇿 – Nov 1988
- Angola 🇦🇴 – Dec 1988
- Antigua & Barbuda 🇦🇬 – Sep 2011
- Argentina 🇦🇷 – Dec 2010
- Azerbaijan 🇦🇿 – Apr 1992
- Bahrain 🇧🇭 – Nov 1988
- Bangladesh 🇧🇩 – Nov 1988
- Belarus 🇧🇾 – Nov 1988
- Belize 🇧🇿 – Sep 2011
- Benin 🇧🇯 – May 1989
- Bhutan 🇧🇹 – Dec 1988
- Bolivia 🇧🇴 – Dec 2010
- Bosnia & Herzegovina 🇧🇦 – May 1992
- Botswana 🇧🇼 – Dec 1988
- Brazil 🇧🇷 – Dec 2011
- Brunei 🇧🇳 – Nov 1988
- Bulgaria 🇧🇬 – Nov 1988
- Burkina Faso 🇧🇫 – Nov 1988
- Burundi 🇧🇮 – Dec 1988
- Cambodia 🇰🇭 – Nov 1988
- Cape Verde 🇨🇻 – Nov 1988
- C. African Republic 🇨🇫 – Dec 1988
- Chad 🇹🇩 – Dec 1988
- Chile 🇨🇱 – Jan 2011
- China 🇨🇳 – Nov 1988
- Comoros 🇰🇲 – Nov 1988
- Congo 🇨🇬 – Dec 1988
- Costa Rica 🇨🇷 – Feb 2008
- Cote d’Ivoire 🇨🇮 – Nov 1988
- Cuba 🇨🇺 – Nov 1988
- Cyprus 🇨🇾 – Nov 1988
- Czech Republic 🇨🇿 – Nov 1988
- North Korea 🇰🇵 – Nov 1988
- DR of Congo 🇨🇩 – Dec 1988
- Djibouti 🇩🇯 – Nov 1988
- Dominica 🇩🇲 – Sep 2011
- Dominican Republic 🇩🇴 – Jul 2009
- Ecuador 🇪🇨 – Dec 2010
- Egypt 🇪🇬 – Nov 1988
- El Salvador 🇸🇻 – Aug 2011
- Ethiopia 🇪🇹 – Feb 1989
- Equatorial Guinea 🇬🇶 – May 1989
- Gabon 🇬🇦 – Dec 1988
- Gambia 🇬🇲 – Nov 1988
- Georgia 🇬🇪 – Apr 1992
- Ghana 🇬🇭 – Nov 1988
- Grenada 🇬🇩 – Sep 2011
- Guatemala 🇬🇹 – Apr 2013
- Guinea 🇬🇳 – Nov 1988
- Guinea-Bissau 🇬🇼 – Nov 1988
- Guyana 🇬🇾 – Jan 2011
- Haiti 🇭🇹 – Sep 2013
- Holy See 🇻🇦 – Jun 2015
- Honduras 🇭🇳 – Aug 2011
- Hungary 🇭🇺 – Nov 1988
- Iceland 🇮🇸 – Dec 2011
- India 🇮🇳 – Nov 1988
- Indonesia 🇮🇩 – Nov 1988
- Iran 🇮🇷 – Feb 1988
- Iraq 🇮🇶 – Nov 1988
- Jordan 🇯🇴 – Nov 1988
- Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 – Apr 1992
- Kenya 🇰🇪 – May 1989
- Kuwait 🇰🇼 – Nov 1988
- Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬 – Nov 1995
- Lao People’s Democratic Republic 🇱🇦 – Dec 1988
- Lebanon 🇱🇧 – Nov 2008
- Lesotho 🇱🇸 – May 2011
- Liberia 🇱🇷 – Jul 2011
- Libya 🇱🇾 – Nov 1988
- Madagascar 🇲🇬 – Nov 1988
- Malawi 🇲🇼 – Oct 1998
- Malaysia 🇲🇾 – Nov 1988
- Maldives 🇲🇻 – Nov 1988
- Mali 🇲🇱 – Nov 1988
- Malta 🇲🇹 – Nov 1988
- Mauritania 🇲🇷 – Nov 1988
- Mauritius 🇲🇺 – Nov 1988
- Mongolia 🇲🇳 – Nov 1988
- Montenegro 🇲🇪 – Jul 2006
- Morocco 🇲🇦 – Nov 1988
- Mozambique 🇲🇿 – Dec 1988
- Namibia 🇳🇦 – Nov 1988
- Nepal 🇳🇵 – Dec 1988
- Nicaragua 🇳🇮 – Nov 1988
- Niger 🇳🇪 – Nov 1988
- Nigeria 🇳🇬 – Nov 1988
- Oman 🇴🇲 – Dec 1988
- Afghanistan 🇦🇫 – Nov 1988
- Papua NG 🇵🇬 – Jan 1995
- Paraguay 🇵🇾 – Jan 2011
- Peru 🇵🇪 – Jan 2011
- Philippines 🇵🇭 – Sep 1989
- Poland 🇵🇱 – Dec 1988
- Qatar 🇶🇦 – Nov 1988
- Romania 🇷🇴 – Nov 1988
- Russia 🇷🇺 – Nov 1988
- Rwanda 🇷🇼 – Jan 1989
- Saint Lucia 🇱🇨 – Sep 2015
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines 🇻🇨 – Aug 2011
- Sao Tome & Principe 🇸🇹 – Dec 1988
- Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 – Nov 1988
- Senegal 🇸🇳 – Nov 1988
- Serbia 🇷🇸 – Nov 1988
- Seychelles 🇸🇨 – Nov 1988
- Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 – Dec 1988
- Slovakia 🇸🇰 – Nov 1988
- Somalia 🇸🇴 – Nov 1988
- South Africa 🇿🇦 – Feb 1995
- South Sudan 🇸🇸 – Jul 2011
- Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 – Nov 1988
- Sudan 🇸🇩 – Nov 1988
- Suriname 🇸🇷 – Jan 2011
- Swaziland 🇸🇿 – Jul 1991
- Sweden 🇸🇪 – Oct 2014
- Syria 🇸🇾 – Jul 2011
- Tajikistan 🇹🇯 – Apr 1994
- Tanzania 🇹🇿 – Nov 1988
- Thailand 🇹🇭 – Jan 2012
- Timor-Leste 🇹🇱 – Mar 2004
- Togo 🇹🇬 – Nov 1988
- Tunisia 🇹🇳 – Nov 1988
- Turkey 🇹🇷 – Nov 1988
- Turkmenistan 🇹🇲 – Apr 1992
- Uganda 🇺🇬 – Dec 1988
- UAE 🇦🇪 – Nov 1988
- Ukraine 🇺🇦 – Nov 1988
- Uruguay 🇺🇾 – Mar 2011
- Uzbekistan 🇺🇿 – Sep 1994
- Vanuatu 🇻🇺 – Aug 1989
- Venezuela 🇻🇪 – Apr 2009
- Viet Nam 🇻🇳 – Nov 1988
- Yemen 🇾🇪 – Nov 1988
- Zambia 🇿🇲 – Nov 1988
- Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 – Nov 1988
- Colombia 🇨🇴 – Aug 2018
- St. Kitts and Nevis 🇰🇳 – Jul 2019
The Vatican officially recognized Palestine on June 26, 2015.