UK to recognise Palestine in September unless Israel agrees ceasefire
| 2025-07-30
UK to recognise Palestine in September unless Israel agrees ceasefire
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says Britain will recognise Palestine in September unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire and long-term peace framework.
The United Kingdom will formally recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations in September unless Israel commits to a ceasefire and a peace process, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced.
The decision, revealed after an emergency cabinet meeting on Tuesday, comes amid escalating concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Starmer warned that unless Israel halts its military campaign and allows aid to resume, Britain will join a growing list of nations endorsing Palestinian statehood.
Starmer’s position mirrors that of French President Emmanuel Macron, who last week pledged to support Palestinian recognition at the upcoming UN General Assembly session. The move signals a shift in European diplomacy as images of famine and conflict in Gaza prompt global outcry.
British recognition conditional on Israeli action
Speaking in London, Prime Minister Starmer said the recognition of a Palestinian state is not an endorsement of any group, but a necessary step toward reviving the two-state solution.
“Unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire and commit to a long-term, sustainable peace, Britain will proceed with recognition,” Starmer said.
His conditions include allowing United Nations humanitarian aid to reach Gaza, halting any further annexation of the West Bank, and restarting credible peace talks. He added that Hamas must release hostages, disarm, and accept it will play no role in governing Gaza.
Israel condemns announcement
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised the UK’s announcement, calling it a reward for terrorism. In a statement posted online, he said the move “punishes victims and emboldens jihadist groups” and warned it would threaten Western security in the future.
Israel’s foreign ministry also rejected the move, accusing the British government of bowing to internal political pressure. It said the shift would “harm efforts to achieve a ceasefire” and obstruct negotiations for hostage releases.
Starmer acknowledged that current conditions make Israeli compliance unlikely but said Britain could no longer delay action while the humanitarian situation worsens.
Diplomatic weight and historical legacy
Britain’s announcement carries symbolic significance given its historical role in the region. The UK was the former colonial power in Palestine and authored the 1917 Balfour Declaration, which supported the establishment of a Jewish homeland but also committed to safeguarding Palestinian civil rights.
Speaking at a UN conference, Foreign Secretary David Lammy referred to that legacy, stating, “The promise that nothing shall be done to prejudice the rights of Palestinian people has not been upheld.”
Lammy said Britain bears a “special burden of responsibility” and reiterated support for Israel’s security while urging progress toward a two-state solution.
Growing European support for recognition
More than 140 countries already recognise Palestine as a state. France’s decision last week made it the first Group of Seven nation to take such a step, with other European nations—such as Ireland, Spain, and the Netherlands—also voicing stronger criticism of Israeli military action.
Support for recognition has been building within Britain. Over 250 MPs in the House of Commons have signed a letter urging the government to act. Human rights groups and public protests have intensified pressure on Starmer’s government to intervene diplomatically.
In response, Starmer has taken a firmer stance, saying the prospect of a two-state solution is “shrinking” and may soon be out of reach without immediate action.
International consultations and Trump meeting
The announcement followed Starmer’s meeting with former US President Donald Trump at a golf resort in Scotland. While it is unclear whether the recognition plan was directly discussed, Trump later told reporters he had “no view” on the matter but supported efforts to get food and aid into Gaza.
Starmer’s government has stepped up humanitarian efforts in recent weeks, including airdropping aid into Gaza, evacuating injured children to British hospitals, and calling for the restoration of UN aid operations.
“We will keep working with all our international partners to end the suffering, get aid flooding into Gaza and deliver a more stable future for the Middle East,” Starmer said.
Looking ahead
Although largely symbolic, Britain’s recognition of a Palestinian state would mark a diplomatic turning point in its Middle East policy and place additional pressure on Israel to shift course.
Critics, including former diplomats, argue that the move may cost Britain future leverage in negotiations. Others say it sends a clear signal that global patience is wearing thin and that humanitarian concerns must override diplomatic caution.
For Prime Minister Starmer, a former human rights lawyer, the worsening images from Gaza compelled action.
“Now, in Gaza, because of a catastrophic failure of aid, we see starving babies, children too weak to stand—images that will stay with us for a lifetime,” he said. “This is the moment to act.”
The decision, revealed after an emergency cabinet meeting on Tuesday, comes amid escalating concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Starmer warned that unless Israel halts its military campaign and allows aid to resume, Britain will join a growing list of nations endorsing Palestinian statehood.
Starmer’s position mirrors that of French President Emmanuel Macron, who last week pledged to support Palestinian recognition at the upcoming UN General Assembly session. The move signals a shift in European diplomacy as images of famine and conflict in Gaza prompt global outcry.
British recognition conditional on Israeli action
Speaking in London, Prime Minister Starmer said the recognition of a Palestinian state is not an endorsement of any group, but a necessary step toward reviving the two-state solution.
“Unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire and commit to a long-term, sustainable peace, Britain will proceed with recognition,” Starmer said.
His conditions include allowing United Nations humanitarian aid to reach Gaza, halting any further annexation of the West Bank, and restarting credible peace talks. He added that Hamas must release hostages, disarm, and accept it will play no role in governing Gaza.
Israel condemns announcement
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised the UK’s announcement, calling it a reward for terrorism. In a statement posted online, he said the move “punishes victims and emboldens jihadist groups” and warned it would threaten Western security in the future.
Israel’s foreign ministry also rejected the move, accusing the British government of bowing to internal political pressure. It said the shift would “harm efforts to achieve a ceasefire” and obstruct negotiations for hostage releases.
Starmer acknowledged that current conditions make Israeli compliance unlikely but said Britain could no longer delay action while the humanitarian situation worsens.
Diplomatic weight and historical legacy
Britain’s announcement carries symbolic significance given its historical role in the region. The UK was the former colonial power in Palestine and authored the 1917 Balfour Declaration, which supported the establishment of a Jewish homeland but also committed to safeguarding Palestinian civil rights.
Speaking at a UN conference, Foreign Secretary David Lammy referred to that legacy, stating, “The promise that nothing shall be done to prejudice the rights of Palestinian people has not been upheld.”
Lammy said Britain bears a “special burden of responsibility” and reiterated support for Israel’s security while urging progress toward a two-state solution.
Growing European support for recognition
More than 140 countries already recognise Palestine as a state. France’s decision last week made it the first Group of Seven nation to take such a step, with other European nations—such as Ireland, Spain, and the Netherlands—also voicing stronger criticism of Israeli military action.
Support for recognition has been building within Britain. Over 250 MPs in the House of Commons have signed a letter urging the government to act. Human rights groups and public protests have intensified pressure on Starmer’s government to intervene diplomatically.
In response, Starmer has taken a firmer stance, saying the prospect of a two-state solution is “shrinking” and may soon be out of reach without immediate action.
International consultations and Trump meeting
The announcement followed Starmer’s meeting with former US President Donald Trump at a golf resort in Scotland. While it is unclear whether the recognition plan was directly discussed, Trump later told reporters he had “no view” on the matter but supported efforts to get food and aid into Gaza.
Starmer’s government has stepped up humanitarian efforts in recent weeks, including airdropping aid into Gaza, evacuating injured children to British hospitals, and calling for the restoration of UN aid operations.
“We will keep working with all our international partners to end the suffering, get aid flooding into Gaza and deliver a more stable future for the Middle East,” Starmer said.
Looking ahead
Although largely symbolic, Britain’s recognition of a Palestinian state would mark a diplomatic turning point in its Middle East policy and place additional pressure on Israel to shift course.
Critics, including former diplomats, argue that the move may cost Britain future leverage in negotiations. Others say it sends a clear signal that global patience is wearing thin and that humanitarian concerns must override diplomatic caution.
For Prime Minister Starmer, a former human rights lawyer, the worsening images from Gaza compelled action.
“Now, in Gaza, because of a catastrophic failure of aid, we see starving babies, children too weak to stand—images that will stay with us for a lifetime,” he said. “This is the moment to act.”
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