British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday warned that the UK will formally recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel takes concrete steps toward ending the war in Gaza and pursuing lasting peace.
In a rare Cabinet meeting during the summer recess, Starmer told ministers that Britain would move to recognize Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly unless the Israeli government agrees to a ceasefire, allows unhindered humanitarian aid into Gaza, pledges not to annex any part of the West Bank, and commits to a viable peace process aimed at achieving a two-state solution.
Starmer also laid out conditions for Hamas, demanding the release of all remaining hostages, acceptance of a ceasefire, disarmament, and a pledge to not participate in Gaza’s future governance.
In a televised address, the prime minister said the UK would assess progress on these demands in September before making its final decision on recognition.
Gaza death toll surpasses 60,000 amid ongoing Israel-Hamas war, says Health Ministry
While the UK has long supported a two-state solution, it has previously stated that recognition of a Palestinian state should come as part of a negotiated peace deal.
However, calls for unilateral recognition have grown louder since French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would become the first major Western nation to do so in September.
More than 250 Members of Parliament have signed a letter calling on the government to recognize Palestinian statehood.
Despite linking recognition to a set of conditions, Starmer affirmed Britain’s belief that “statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people.”