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Starmer, Keir

Britain to Recognize Palestinian State Unless Israel Agrees to Ceasefire and Two-State Solution

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that the UK will formally recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire and commits to a two-state solution. This move comes amid increasing public outrage over Israel's ongoing military siege and mounting evidence of starvation in Gaza. Starmer's statement follows a similar announcement by French President Emmanuel Macron last week, and he emphasized that the ultimate goal is a "safe and secure" Israel alongside a "viable and sovereign" Palestinian state.

Key Takeaways:

  • Starmer's announcement is conditional on Israel taking "substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza" and committing to a long-term, sustainable peace.
  • The UK will formally recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations in September unless Israel meets the conditions set by Starmer.
  • Over 140 nations have already moved to formally recognize a Palestinian state.
  • A cross-party letter signed by 255 British lawmakers has called on Starmer and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy to recognize a Palestinian state.
  • Some members of the British Parliament have expressed support for Starmer's statement, but have called on the government to recognize a Palestinian state immediately rather than waiting until September.

Statistics:

  • 140 nations have formally recognized a Palestinian state to date.
  • 255 British lawmakers have signed a cross-party letter to Starmer and Lammy calling for recognition of a Palestinian state.
  • 20 out of 27 European Union member states expressed "serious concerns" about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza at a meeting of EU ambassadors in Brussels.

Sources:

  • William Booth, "Britain will recognize Palestinian state unless Israel agrees to ceasefire and two-state solution, Starmer says," The Washington Post, August 2023 (no specific date given).
  • "Netanyahu accuses Starmer of 'abetting terrorism' over UK's border recognition," BBC News.
  • "Starmer cuts short his summer to announce UK's recognition of a Palestinian state," The Times of Israel.
  • "UK's Lammy defends recognition of Palestinian state at UN as 'moral and strategic imperative'," The Jerusalem Post.

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