Read our Privacy noticeNew Zealand’s decision to not recognise Palestinian statehood placed the country on the wrong side of history, opposition parties and senior leaders said. New Zealand’s position was contrary to that of its main traditional allies like the UK, Canada and Australia, which all formally recognised a Palestinian state, joining over 140 UN member states that had already done so. France also formally recognised a Palestinian state on Monday. South Korea, Singapore and the US are among other nations that have not yet recognised Palestinian statehood. He strongly rejected a Palestinian state, dismissing the two-state idea as “madness” and warning that the recognition trend would embolden Hamas.