Which countries recently recognized the Palestinian state?

The correct answer identifies nations that have demonstrated an increasing recognition of Palestinian statehood. The context surrounding this involves the geopolitical landscape where various countries have taken steps to publicly acknowledge Palestine as a state, reflecting their foreign policy positions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In this case, several nations in option B have been known to support Palestine through various declarations and more formal recognition in the international arena. For instance, France has consistently vocalized support for a two-state solution, indicating recognition, while the UK has shown fluctuating support for Palestinian statehood throughout political changes. Meanwhile, Canada and Australia have expressed their stances on recognizing Palestine in different contexts, especially through their votes in international organizations.

The other options present nations that either do not explicitly recognize the Palestinian state or have different international relations strategies regarding Palestine. For example, nations like Japan, China, India, and South Africa have also made strides in recognizing Palestinian claims historically but do not necessarily fit the recent recognition context as succinctly as those in option B. On the other hand, Russia, Egypt, Turkey, and Iran (from option D) have strong historical ties or support for the Palestinian cause, yet the listed nations in option B have taken significant recent advisory roles on the global stage that aligns