Fifteen Western countries, led by France, issued a joint “New York Call” on 30 July urging nations that have not already done so to move toward recognising Palestine as a state. The appeal was released at a UN ministerial conference on reviving the two-state solution, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, and was announced by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. The signatories—Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia and Spain—reaffirmed support for two sovereign states living side by side and called on others to join them ahead of the UN General Assembly’s high-level week in September. Nine of the countries have yet to grant formal recognition but said they now view the step positively. Momentum is also building elsewhere. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said Britain will recognise Palestine in September unless Israel agrees to a cease-fire, a move that would make the UK the first G-7 member to do so. Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela confirmed his country will extend recognition at the same UN session. The foreign ministers condemned the 7 Oct 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, demanded an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and the unconditional release of hostages, and welcomed recent reform pledges by the Palestinian Authority. Their statement comes amid mounting humanitarian concerns; Gaza’s health ministry says more than 60,000 people have been killed, and UN agencies warn that parts of the enclave face imminent famine.