UK to recognise Palestine unless Israel agrees to ceasefire

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK would recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza.

“I have always said that we will recognise a Palestinian state as a contribution to a proper peace process at the moment of maximum impact for the two-state solution.

“I can confirm the UK will recognise the State of Palestine by the United Nations General Assembly in September, unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire, and commit to a long-term sustainable peace, reviving the prospect of a two-state solution,” CNN reported him as saying.

Starmer made the statement after a cabinet meeting yesterday,

He made the announcement one day after the UK leader said the British public is “revolted” by images of people starving in Gaza, speaking alongside US President Donald Trump in Scotland.

In an immediate response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Starmer’s decision “rewards Hamas’s monstrous terrorism.”

“A jihadist state on Israel’s border TODAY will threaten Britain TOMORROW. Appeasement toward jihadist terrorists always fails. It will fail you too,” Netanyahu said on X.

Trump echoed some of Israel’s criticism over the UK’s decision, saying he sees it as “rewarding Hamas”, adding that the US has no plans to follow suit.

“Essentially, (Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are) saying the same thing, and that’s okay, but you know, doesn’t mean I have to agree,” Trump said.

France to recognise Palestine

On July 25, Macron announced that France will officially recognise the state of Palestine during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September, reported Xinhua.

“The urgent need today is to end the war in Gaza and to rescue the civilian population,” Macron stated on his official X account.

Following France’s decision, Starmer came under pressure within his administration to do the same.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey called for the UK to follow suit, saying the UK “should be leading on this, not falling behind.”

“Recognise the independent state of Palestine now and take the lead on securing a two-state solution and a lasting peace,” he said.

London mayor Sadiq Khan also called for immediate recognition, while the Trades Union Congress have pushed for formal recognition of Palestine “not in a year or two years - but now.”

Emily Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said most of its members backed recognition right away.

Humanitarian crisis

Gaza is currently experiencing the worst humanitarian crisis in its history, with a severe famine intersecting with a genocidal war waged by Israel since 2023.

Since March 2 this year, Israel has closed all crossings with the Strip and prevented the entry of most food and medical aid, causing widespread famine.

According to the latest figures, 134 Palestinians, including 88 children, have died from famine and malnutrition since Oct 7, 2023.

Since Oct 7, 2023, the Israeli forces’ assault on Gaza has killed 59,821 citizens, the majority of whom were children and women.

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