More than 100 countries recognize Palestine as a state
PARIS—After Iceland’s formal recognition of the Palestinian state on Thursday, at least 112 countries around the world have recognized Palestine, according to an AFP count.
In Latin America, Uruguay and Peru joined the growing ranks of countries which recognized Palestine this year, with 12 out of the region’s 13 countries formally recognizing it as a state.
Only Colombia, a key ally of the United States in the region, has not followed that path.
In Central America, the Palestinian state has been recognised by Cuba, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras and Salvador.
Arab countries have also recognized Palestine, notably Syria in July of this year.
In Europe, Iceland became one of the few Western European countries and NATO members to do so, joining the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta and Poland.
Around 150 countries maintain diplomatic relations with the Palestinians in one form or another.
Palestine currently has “observer” status at the United Nations, but in September, president Mahmud Abbas formally asked the United Nations for full state membership.
In October, Palestine was granted full membership at the UN cultural organization, UNESCO, in a diplomatic victory won despite stiff resistance from the United States and Israel.
Earlier this week, Abbas urged the European Union to support their UN membership bid after the Palestinian flag was raised over the UNESCO’s headquarters for the first time.
Figures published by the Palestine Liberation Organization indicate that 130 countries have recognized Palestine.
