EU member Portugal has officially recognized a Palestinian state, Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel announced on Sunday, joining Britain, Canada and Australia in the major policy shift. Rangel said Prime Minister Luís Montenegro's centre-right government took the decision amid "broad consensus" across parties in the Lisbon parliament.

The terror organization called the recognition "a deserved outcome of our people’s struggle” and added that it would lead Western countries to isolate Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that such moves would reward "Hamas's monstrous terrorism". The United States has also voiced strong opposition,

Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized France's decision to recognize a Palestinian state, calling it "reckless" — French President Emmanuel Macron told CBS News the response was "excessive."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed Sunday that the U.K. is formally recognizing a Palestinian state despite vociferous opposition from the U.S. and Israel.

A host of countries, including France and Canada, are expected to do the same when world leaders gather at the UN General Assembly next week.

DescriptionThe quest for Palestinian independence is set to get a major boost as several diplomatic heavyweights are expected to recognize a State of Palestine.

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