In a landmark decision, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Sunday that the United Kingdom is officially recognizing a Palestinian state, defying strong objections from both the United States and Israel.
The declaration, though largely symbolic, is seen as historically significant, especially considering Britain’s past role in shaping the modern Middle East. The announcement follows similar moves by Canada and Australia and comes amid renewed international momentum toward recognizing Palestinian statehood.
Starmer said the decision aims to “revive hope for peace between Palestinians and Israelis,” signaling a shift in policy amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
The announcement was expected, following Starmer’s earlier pledge in July that the UK would recognize Palestine unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire, allowed humanitarian aid access, and made concrete moves toward long-term peace.
Global Support Grows
The UK joins more than 140 countries that have already recognized a Palestinian state. France is also expected to do so during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, further strengthening international support for Palestinian statehood.
However, the decision is not without controversy.
Tensions with Allies
The recognition comes just days after U.S. President Donald Trump visited the UK and publicly opposed the move. “I disagree with the prime minister on this issue,” Trump said during his visit.
Critics — including the Israeli government and the U.S. — argue that the recognition rewards Hamas and undermines peace efforts. They also contend that the move is symbolic at best, given the political and geographical split between the West Bank and Gaza, and the absence of a unified Palestinian capital.
Starmer responded to the criticism by affirming that Hamas will have no role in the future governance of Palestine and reiterated calls for the release of Israeli hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attacks.
A Historic Responsibility
Britain’s decision carries added weight due to its historical role in the region. After World War I, the UK governed Palestine under a League of Nations mandate. In 1917, the British government issued the Balfour Declaration, supporting the creation of a “national home for the Jewish people.” However, it also included a pledge to protect the rights of the Palestinian population — a promise many believe has gone unfulfilled.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, who will represent the UK at the UN this week, called this failure a “historical injustice that continues today.”
Husam Zomlot, head of the Palestinian mission in the UK, told the BBC that the recognition marks a moment of reckoning. “This is about ending a denial that began in 1917,” he said. “It’s a moment when historical wrongs are finally beginning to be addressed.”
Policy Shift Amid Growing Frustration
While the UK has long supported a two-state solution, it previously maintained that recognition should come only as part of a negotiated peace process. However, British officials now believe that such a solution is becoming increasingly unfeasible.
This shift comes in the wake of near-total destruction in Gaza, mass displacement, and Israel’s continued expansion of settlements in the West Bank — territory Palestinians hope to include in a future state. Much of the international community considers these settlements illegal under international law.
Lammy emphasized the UK’s commitment to keeping the two-state vision alive: “We are working to reform the Palestinian Authority, and we must ensure the future of two states for the children of Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.”