Several countries have recently agreed to add their names to the list of nations — the majority of UN member states — that have already recognized the state of Palestine on the borders of June 4, 1967. On Sunday, the UK, Canada, Australia and Portugal became the latest to do so, with Belgium, France, Luxembourg and Malta among those expected to quickly follow. Palestine has met all the requirements for statehood and in 2012 won recognition as a nonmember observer state in an overwhelming vote by the UN General Assembly.

Nine other countries, including France and the UK, also plan to recognise Palestinian statehood next week.

LISBON: Portugal will officially recognize a Palestinian state on Sunday, Lisbon’s foreign ministry said on Friday, ahead of a UN General Assembly where around 10 other countries…