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Arab-Israeli conflicts

UK to Recognise Palestinian State in September Unless Israel Complies with Ceasefire and Two-State Solution

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The UK government has agreed on a roadmap for peace in the Middle East, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledging to formally recognise the state of Palestine in September unless Israel commits to a ceasefire and a two-state solution. The decision comes amid growing domestic pressure over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the World Food Programme (WFP) has described the hunger crisis as the worst seen this century. The UK government has set out conditions for Israel to meet before recognition, including reaching a ceasefire, committing to no annexation in the West Bank, and a long-term peace process.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK government has agreed on a roadmap for peace in the Middle East, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
  • Starmer has pledged to formally recognise the state of Palestine in September unless Israel commits to a ceasefire and a two-state solution.
  • The decision comes amid growing domestic pressure over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the WFP has described the hunger crisis as the worst seen this century.
  • The UK government has set out conditions for Israel to meet before recognition, including reaching a ceasefire, committing to no annexation in the West Bank, and a long-term peace process.
  • Starmer spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before the announcement, but Netanyahu's government rejected the statement, calling it a "reward for Hamas".
  • The UK government also repeated its demands of Hamas, which it said must release all hostages immediately, disarm, sign up to a ceasefire, and accept it would play no role in the government of Gaza.
  • The Liberal Democrats and the Greens have called for the UK to recognise Palestine immediately, without making it a bargaining chip for Israel's compliance.
  • The UK has worked with Jordan to drop 20 tonnes of aid by air in recent days, but the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to worsening.
  • The UK bears a "special burden of responsibility" to support a two-state solution, as first supported in 1917.

Statistics:

  • The WFP has described the hunger crisis in Gaza as the worst seen this century.
  • 60,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza war, with almost half of them being women and children.
  • Only about half of the aid requested by the WFP to enter Gaza is reaching the territory after Israel eased restrictions over the weekend.
  • 49% of Britons polled by Survation are in favour of recognising Palestine, while 13% are opposed.
  • 85% of Britons polled by Survation want the government to be more critical of Israel's actions in Gaza.

Sources:

  • "UK preparing to recognise Palestinian statehood" (no date)
  • "Keir Starmer to formally recognise Palestine in September unless Israel agrees to ceasefire and two-state solution" (no date)
  • "UK to recognise Palestine as a state unless Israel meets conditions" (no date)
  • "UK to formally recognise Palestine state in September unless Israel agrees to ceasefire and two-state solution" (no date)
  • "The Guardian" (no date)
  • "Starmer tells ministers UK will formally recognise Palestine in September unless Israel meets conditions" (no date)
  • "US state department spokesperson calls Starmer's remarks a 'slap in the face'" (no date)
  • "Survation polling" (no date)
  • "WFP describes Gaza hunger crisis as worst seen this century" (no date)

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