ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraq’s influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Monday expressed gratitude for the countries that have recognized the State of Palestine, saying the recent wave of recognition “worries” Israel.

The UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal on Sunday announced that they formally recognized the State of Palestine, joining a growing wave of Western nations moving to recognize Palestinian statehood amid international outrage at Israel's ongoing campaign in Gaza.

France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, San Marino, and Andorra are also set to announce their recognition of Palestine on Monday during a meeting of dozens of world leaders, convened by Saudi Arabia and France, ahead of the UN General Assembly’s high-level General Debate in New York. Israel and the US are set to boycott Monday’s meeting.

“A wave of recognition of the State of Palestine worries the Zionists... because the result of recognizing Palestine is: recognition of Jerusalem and the imposition of sanctions on those who attack the recognized state and its people, whether by killing or displacing them,” wrote Sadr in a statement.

Israel’s genocide in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 65,000 Palestinians and the wounding of more than 165,000, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Vast areas of Gaza have been razed to the ground, displacing the majority of the territory's 2 million inhabitants.

The winds of change regarding Palestinian statehood have blown across Europe as Israel's punitive campaign in Gaza has dragged on.

“In conclusion: Thank you to those who recognized... especially [Spain],” Sadr added.

Spain has been one of the most salient advocates for Gaza in the West, repeatedly condemning Israel’s actions and formally recognizing Palestinian statehood in May 2024 alongside Ireland and Norway.