LONDON : Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Tuesday that Britain is prepared to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September—unless Israel takes immediate steps to ease Palestinian suffering and advance peace efforts.
If Britain follows through, it would become the second Western permanent member of the U.N. Security Council to do so, after France’s historic decision last week. The move reflects Israel’s growing diplomatic isolation amid global criticism of its conduct in the war against Hamas.
Conditions Set for Diplomatic Recognition
Starmer outlined clear conditions: Israel must allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza, commit to no annexation of the West Bank, and actively support a long-term peace process that leads to a two-state solution.
“The Palestinian people have endured terrible suffering,” Starmer said during a press briefing. “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. The suffering must end.”
He emphasized that Britain would review the situation in September and make a decision based on the progress made. “No one will have a veto over this decision,” he added firmly.
Cabinet Recalled to Address Crisis
The prime minister returned early from summer recess to hold an emergency cabinet meeting. The agenda included a new European-led peace plan and strategies to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza’s 2.2 million residents.
Past UK governments have supported Palestinian statehood “when the time is right,” but have never committed to a timeline or conditions. Starmer’s statement marks the first clear deadline for action tied to specific benchmarks.
Rising Pressure Within Labour Party
The announcement follows mounting pressure from within Starmer’s Labour Party. With aid agencies warning of looming famine in Gaza, several lawmakers have called on the government to formally recognize Palestine to increase pressure on Israel.
Momentum for recognition surged after French President Emmanuel Macron announced last week that France would recognize Palestinian statehood based on pre-1967 borders.
International Backlash and Policy Reversals
Israel and its close ally, the United States, swiftly condemned France’s decision, calling it a reward for Hamas, whose attack on October 7, 2023, triggered the current conflict.
Starmer’s position has evolved significantly since that attack. As opposition leader at the time, he supported Israel’s right to defend itself. But since becoming prime minister over a year ago, his administration has taken a markedly tougher stance on Israeli policies.
New Measures Against Israeli Officials
In a series of policy shifts, the UK government dropped legal opposition to International Criminal Court arrest warrants targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Additionally, it has paused certain arms sales to Israel.
Last month, Britain sanctioned two far-right Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, citing their repeated incitement of violence against Palestinians.
