26 September 2025 | 13:05 CAT
2-minute read

US allies’ recognition of Palestine and Israel’s potential reaction

In this week’s Middle East Report, analyst James Dorsey discussed the geopolitical landscape surrounding Palestine recognition, Israeli responses and what the naval assistance from Italy and Spain might for the success of the Global Sumud Flotilla.

US allies—among them the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia—recently recognised Palestinian statehood, which has prompted Israel to react with fury and defiance. Netanyahu’s forthcoming meeting with President Trump, his fourth since Trump assumed his current term, is widely viewed as pivotal in determining whether Israel retaliates diplomatically or dramatically escalates with territorial annexation.

Dorsey noted that Netanyahu has two main courses of action: a measured bilateral diplomatic downgrading or a sweeping move to annex parts of the West Bank.

That choice is under intense scrutiny, given that Trump has stated emphatically that he will not allow annexation, while voices within Netanyahu’s government push for aggressively expanding territorial control.

Recent Israeli strikes targeted the compound of Gaza’s powerful Dogmush clan, killing some 25 family members.

“This relates to what we’re going to see unfold in the next few days. As I mentioned, there’s a 21-point plan that Trump has presented to Arab and Muslim leaders at a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly earlier this week… That plan has given some role to the Palestine Authority, the West Bank-based internationally recognised representation of the Palestinians,” Dorsey said.

Meanwhile, Spain and Italy have sent naval vessels to escort and protect the Global Sumud Flotilla, a rare direct involvement by European militaries in the conflict. Israel preemptively struck portions of the flotilla via drones before they reached Gaza—signalling its resolve to intercept any aid attempts.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry and Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir have publicly vowed to stop the flotilla, but this may prove difficult for the occupying state, given that this is the the largest civilian-led maritime convoy in history.

“The flotilla is approaching Gaza, and how that’s going to unfold is going to prove to be very tricky for the Israelis.”

The Israeli Foreign Ministry proposed that the flotilla unload its aid at the Israeli port of Ashkelon, from where it would be transferred into Gaza, but Global Sumud Flotilla has rejected the proposal, because docking in Ashkelon would legitimise Israel’s blockade, which is illegal under international law.

Listen to the Middle East Report on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.