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Prime ministers

Britain to Recognize Palestinian State Unless Israel Takes Steps to Improve Life for Palestinians

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that the country will recognize a Palestinian state in September at the U.N. General Assembly, unless Israel takes a number of steps to improve life for Palestinians. Starmer's decision reflects the deepening isolation of Israel over its conduct in the war against Hamas in Gaza, where a humanitarian disaster has set in and the Palestinian death toll has risen above 60,000. The move would make Britain the second Western power on the U.N. Security Council to recognize a Palestinian state, following France last week.

Key Takeaways:

  • Britain will recognize a Palestinian state in September at the U.N. General Assembly unless Israel takes substantive steps to allow more aid to enter Gaza.
  • The steps include allowing more aid to enter Gaza, making clear there will be no annexation of the West Bank, and committing to a long-term peace process that delivers a "two-state solution".
  • The move reflects Israel's deepening isolation over its conduct in the war against Hamas in Gaza, where a humanitarian disaster has set in and the Palestinian death toll has risen above 60,000.
  • Successive British governments have said they would formally recognize a Palestinian state when the time was right, without ever setting a timetable or specifying the necessary conditions.
  • The issue has gained traction after President Emmanuel Macron said France would recognize Palestine as a state in territories Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East War.
  • Starmer's stance has shifted to a tougher approach to Israel, especially since his election as prime minister just over a year ago.
  • His government has dropped the previous government's challenge over arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and has suspended some weapon sales to Israel.

Statistics:

  • 2.2 million people live in Gaza.
  • Over 60,000 Palestinians have died during the war against Hamas in Gaza.
  • Britain is the second Western power on the U.N. Security Council to recognize a Palestinian state, after France last week.
  • Successive British governments have said they would formally recognize a Palestinian state when the time was right, without ever setting a timetable or specifying the necessary conditions.

Sources:

  • Reuters, "UK's Starmer says Britain will recognize Palestinian state at UN unless Israel takes steps to improve life" (July 29, 2024)
  • Reuters, "France to recognize Palestine as a state after Israel's 1967 war, Macrons says" (Thursday, August 2024)
  • Reuters, "U.S. and Israel condemn France's move to recognize Palestine" (Thursday, August 2024)

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