The United Kingdom intends to recognise the Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, unless “the Israeli government takes significant steps to end the appalling situation in the Gaza Strip.”
Starmer explained on Tuesday that Israel must agree to a ceasefire and commit to working towards a sustainable peace process, reviving the prospect of “two states for two peoples.”
In addition, Israel must allow the UN to deliver humanitarian aid to the Palestinians and renounce the annexation of territories in the West Bank. If Israel does not meet these conditions, the UK will recognise a Palestinian state.
Starmer also said that Hamas must release the remaining hostages, agree to a ceasefire, lay down its arms and accept that it will have no role in governing the Gaza Strip. The UK’s goal is a secure and safe state of Israel and a viable and sovereign state of Palestine, the prime minister reiterated.
Why Starmer made this statement now
Keir Starmer announced the UK’s intention to recognise a Palestinian state amid numerous reports from journalists and human rights activists that the territory’s inhabitants are facing mass starvation.
The issue of Gaza and humanitarian aid deliveries was one of the main topics at the press conference following Starmer’s meeting with US President Donald Trump on Monday.
Starmer explained that two things prompted him to make today’s statement: the “unbearable situation” in the Gaza Strip and the fear that the idea of “two states for two peoples” is becoming less realistic with each passing day.
When asked why the UK was setting conditions for recognising a Palestinian state, the Prime Minister replied that the main goal was to change the current situation on the ground by securing the release of hostages and the delivery of humanitarian aid. His statement should help achieve this goal.
The Palestinian state is officially recognised by 147 of the 193 UN member states, including Russia, China and the vast majority of Latin American and African countries. However, until recently, most of Europe did not recognise Palestine’s sovereignty.
In May 2024, three countries — two EU members, Ireland and Spain, and Norway — recognised the Palestinian state. Slovenia followed suit in June. A few days before Starmer’s announcement, French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to recognise the Palestinian state in September at the UN General Assembly.
Palestine has observer status at the UN. The Vatican, the Order of Malta and a number of international organisations have the same status.
Israel’s reaction
“Israel rejects the statement by the British Prime Minister,” the country’s Foreign Ministry said. “The British government’s change of position at this time, following France’s actions and internal political pressure, is a reward for Hamas, undermining efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and create conditions for the release of hostages.”
