UK, Canada, Australia Recognize Palestinian State as Netanyahu Vows Annexation Push (Photo: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street 、WikimediaCommons/Open Government License 3 )The United Kingdom, Canada and Australia announced Sunday they are formally recognizing a Palestinian state, a coordinated diplomatic step meant to revive hopes for a two-state solution but one that drew sharp rebukes from Israeli leaders and signaled potential escalation in the West Bank. He added, "We recognized the state of Israel more than 75 years ago as a homeland for the Jewish people. Today we join over 150 countries who recognize a Palestinian state also. The announcement comes days before the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Palestinian sovereignty is expected to dominate discussions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasted the move, calling it "a prize" for Hamas.