Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared that the United Kingdom will formally recognise the State of Palestine in September if Israel fails to take “substantive steps” towards peace, including agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza.
This announcement, made after an emergency cabinet meeting on Tuesday, aligns Britain with France, which also recently pledged to recognise Palestine at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly. If carried out, both countries would become the first G7 nations to officially support Palestinian statehood.
In a televised address from Downing Street, Starmer stated that the recognition would be a pivotal step in reviving the two-state solution, which he believes is now “under threat.” He emphasised the need for Israel to end the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire, and commit to long-term peace.
“I’ve always said we will recognise a Palestinian state as a contribution to a proper peace process, at the moment of maximum impact for the two-state solution,” Starmer noted. “With that solution now under threat, this is the moment to act.”
Starmer also laid out conditions for Hamas, demanding the militant group release all hostages, disarm, and renounce any role in Gaza’s future governance.
Israel immediately rejected the UK’s announcement, calling it a “reward for Hamas” and a blow to ongoing ceasefire efforts. Nonetheless, Starmer communicated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prior to the announcement, stressing the urgent need for humanitarian aid and relief in Gaza.
The UK leader also held talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who welcomed the move.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy echoed Starmer’s sentiments at a UN conference in New York, stating that the UK is acting with “the hand of history on our shoulders,” referencing Britain’s historical role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly through the 1917 Balfour Declaration.
The UK’s decision follows mounting pressure from both domestic lawmakers and international allies. More than 220 British MPs from nine political parties signed a letter urging the government to recognise Palestinian statehood—a stance also included in Labour’s winning manifesto.
In response to the worsening humanitarian conditions, the UK has also delivered emergency air-dropped aid to Gaza in coordination with Jordan. However, both nations acknowledged that land deliveries remain the most effective method for substantial aid.
What You Should Know
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s move to recognise Palestine could mark a significant geopolitical shift, making the UK one of the first G7 nations to endorse Palestinian statehood.
This decision, conditional on Israeli actions before September, underscores growing international and domestic pressure to address the Gaza crisis and revive hopes for a two-state solution.
