The United Kingdom is poised to recognize a Palestinian state by September unless significant peace measures are implemented by Israel, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday. This declaration follows a similar commitment made by French President Emmanuel Macron, who stated that France intends to recognize a Palestinian state during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Prime Minister Starmer emphasized his long-standing support for a negotiated settlement to establish a Palestinian state alongside Israel, known as the two-state solution. He remarked that with the viability of this solution increasingly under threat, the time for decisive action has arrived. "Today, as part of this process towards peace, I can confirm the U.K. will recognize the state of Palestine by the United Nations General Assembly in September," Starmer stated. He made clear that this recognition is contingent on the Israeli government taking meaningful steps to address the dire situation in Gaza, agreeing to a ceasefire, and committing to a sustainable peace plan that revitalizes the two-state solution.
In his address, Starmer also urged Hamas, the militant group in control of Gaza, to release hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. This attack precipitated a full-scale Israeli military response in Gaza. He insisted that Hamas must agree to a ceasefire, disarm, and accept that they cannot participate in Gaza's governance. The alarming humanitarian situation in Gaza has sparked international concern, especially as a United Nations-backed food security group warned that a catastrophic famine is looming. The death toll among Palestinians has surpassed 60,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The announcement from the U.K. government has drawn swift condemnation from Israel. The Israeli Foreign Ministry declared that this policy shift, particularly in light of France's stance and internal political pressures within the U.K., effectively rewards Hamas and undermines efforts to secure a ceasefire and a framework for hostage release. Currently, more than 140 countries, including several European nations, recognize Palestinian statehood. If the U.K. and France proceed with their recognition, they would become the largest Western powers—members of the Group of Seven (G7) leading economies—to do so.
This significant announcement follows a meeting on Monday between Starmer and former President Donald Trump in Scotland, where they discussed the ongoing war in Gaza and the pressing humanitarian crisis. When asked about Starmer's potential recognition of a Palestinian state, Trump responded, "I'm not going to take a position, I don't mind him Starmer taking a position. I'm looking for getting people fed right now."
As the international community watches closely, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the prospect of establishing lasting peace in the region.
