Sign in Subscribe
Starmer, Keir

UK to Recognise Palestinian State Unless Israel Takes Substantive Steps to End Gaza Crisis

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Britain's leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced that the UK will join France in formally recognising a Palestinian state by the United Nations general assembly in September unless Israel takes action to end the "appalling" situation in Gaza. The move comes after mounting pressure from Labour, with over 130 MPs signing a letter urging the prime minister to take action. Starmer hopes to galvanise other world leaders into recognising Palestine at the UN general assembly in September, warning that the catastrophic failure to supply aid to Gaza is having a devastating impact on civilians.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK will recognise Palestine as a state by the United Nations general assembly in September unless Israel agrees to a two-state solution, ends the annexation of the occupied West Bank, and commits to a ceasefire in Gaza.
  • Over 130 Labour MPs signed a letter urging Starmer to recognise Palestine, with a third of his cabinet pressing for recognition.
  • The announcement was made after Starmer met with foreign leaders, including France's President Emmanuel Macron, who also backs recognising Palestine.
  • David Lammy, the foreign secretary, stated that Israel's actions in Gaza have "horrified the world".
  • Israel's foreign ministry accused the UK of rewarding Hamas and harming efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.
  • The Netanyahu government has rejected a two-state solution, which Starmer and Lammy stated is a catastrophic mistake that harms the interests of the Israeli people.
  • The UK's recognition of Palestine is almost inevitable given Israel's opposition to the terms of recognition.

Statistics:

  • Over 130 Labour MPs signed a letter urging Starmer to recognise Palestine.
  • A third of Starmer's cabinet were pressing for recognition of Palestine.
  • The recognition of Palestine by the UK will take place at the United Nations general assembly in September.

Sources:

Steven Swinford, Political Editor; Richard Spencer and Chris Smyth from The Times

Read more