Share articlePrint articleThe UK, France, Canada and Australia are among a group of nations that are moving to formally recognise the state of Palestine like most other states have done over the years. Further away, a cluster of Caribbean countries (Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas) also recognised Palestine around the same time. Ironically, the US recognised Israel in 1948, refuting critics that this was premature due to the lack of clear borders. Not only that but all of the states that recently recognised Palestine have explicitly said that Hamas must play no role in a future government. France said that although it recognises the state of Palestine it won't open an embassy until Hamas releases the hostages.