Britain and Portugal intend to recognize the State of Palestine on Sunday.

In a historic diplomatic shift, both Britain and Portugal intend to officially recognize the State of Palestine today, Sunday, in a coordinated move that challenges the pressures from Washington and Tel Aviv, and comes ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The decision by Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government represents a radical change in Britain's policy, and this announcement fulfills a pledge made by Starmer last July to recognize the State of Palestine if Tel Aviv did not take "substantial steps" to stop the war in Gaza.

Major British media reported that the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and the expansion of settlements prompted the government to activate this decision today.

British Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy attributed the decision to the "dangerous expansion we are witnessing in the West Bank," specifically referring to the "E1" settlement project that threatens to divide the West Bank and severely undermines the chances of implementing a two-state solution.

This move by London coincides with the announcement from the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday that Lisbon will also recognize the State of Palestine today, justifying its decision by the "very concerning developments in the conflict."

This comes ahead of a crucial summit scheduled for tomorrow, Monday, chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, where around ten other countries, including France, are expected to announce their official recognition of Palestine.

Amid the Gaza war and the humanitarian crisis, this diplomatic momentum arises as the occupying army continues its intensive assault on the Gaza Strip, which has so far resulted in the martyrdom of more than 65,000 Palestinians, most of whom are civilians.

The disaster is exacerbated by the United Nations' official declaration of famine in the sector, and a UN investigative committee accusing the Israeli occupation of committing "genocide," charges that Tel Aviv denies.

These moves have been met with rejection and anger from the Israeli occupation, with the Prime Minister of the occupying government, Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing the British Prime Minister of "rewarding terrorism."

With the addition of Britain and Portugal, the number of countries recognizing Palestine rises to 147 out of 193 UN member states, increasing the isolation of the Israeli occupation on the international stage.