LONDON — The United Kingdom is poised to officially recognize a Palestinian state later today, in a move that comes amidst significant opposition from the U.S. The U.K. government has determined that Israel has failed to meet the conditions it set regarding the ongoing war in Gaza. While this anticipated recognition is largely symbolic, the U.K. aims to enhance diplomatic pressure for an end to the conflict and facilitate a pathway toward a sustainable peace.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, who recently served as foreign secretary, indicated that Prime Minister Keir Starmer will announce the recognition of a Palestinian state later today. Lammy stated in an interview with Sky News that such a decision does not instantly create a Palestinian state but could play a crucial role in keeping the two-state solution viable. He emphasized that conflating the Palestinian people with Hamas is a misunderstanding that must be addressed.
Back in July, amid increasing pressure from his party, Starmer declared that the U.K. would recognize a Palestinian state unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza, permitted the United Nations to deliver humanitarian aid, and took substantial steps toward achieving lasting peace. This announcement comes just ahead of the upcoming U.N. General Assembly, where other nations, including Australia, Canada, and France, are also preparing to acknowledge a Palestinian state.
The U.K.'s decision follows a recent state visit from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who openly expressed his disagreement with the plan. Trump stated, “I have a disagreement with the prime minister on that score. It’s one of our few disagreements, actually.” Critics of the U.K.'s recognition, including the U.S. and the Israeli government, argue that this recognition may inadvertently reward Hamas and foster terrorism.
Starmer has made it clear that Hamas will not play a role in the future governance of the Palestinian people and must release the Israeli hostages it holds following the attacks on October 7, 2023. More than 140 nations have already recognized a Palestinian state, but the decisions by France and Britain are particularly significant as both countries are members of the Group of Seven and the U.N. Security Council.
The U.K. has a century-long history in Middle Eastern politics, tracing back to its role following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War I. As part of this historical context, the U.K. governed the region known as Palestine and authored the 1917 Balfour Declaration, which supported the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people. However, the declaration's second clause, which promised not to prejudice the civil and religious rights of the Palestinian people, has often been overlooked throughout history.
Lammy, who is set to represent the U.K. at the U.N. this week, highlighted the ongoing historical injustices that stem from the failure to uphold the commitments made in the Balfour Declaration. For decades, the U.K. has advocated for an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, insisting that such recognition must occur as part of a comprehensive peace plan aimed at achieving a viable two-state solution.
