UK to recognise Palestinian state despite pressure from US and hostage families
The UK is set to recognise a Palestinian state on Sunday despite pressure from the US and the families of hostages held by Hamas.
Sir Keir Starmer is expected to confirm the move after concluding the situation has deteriorated since he urged Israel to change course over the summer.
Alongside the continued military offensive and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the UK Government is alarmed at plans to accelerate Israeli settlements in the West Bank, something which ministers fear will kill off any hope of a two-state solution.
Sir Keir said in July he would recognise Palestine ahead of the gathering of world leaders at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) next week if the situation did not improve.
It is understood the UK has concluded the situation has worsened significantly in the last few weeks.
‘Serious expansion’
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, who will represent the UK at UNGA, said: “It’s important to state that the recognition of a Palestinian state, it is a consequence of the serious expansion that we’re seeing in the West Bank, the settler violence that we’re seeing in the West Bank and the intention and indications that we’re seeing to build, for example, the E1 development that would run a coach and horses through the possibility of a two-state solution.”
The imminent move has been criticised by leading US politicians, who have warned it would empower Hamas and threaten Israel’s security.
Sir Keir and his ministers have sought to stress that recognition of a Palestinian state is not a reward for Hamas, saying it can have no role in the future governance of Gaza and have stepped up demands for the release of hostages.
It is expected the Government will ratchet up sanctions on Hamas in due course.
‘Desperate’
Mr Lammy said: “In relation to what is happening in Gaza… we’ve got to see the hostages out. There can be no place, no place at all for Hamas.
“The humanitarian situation is just desperate and we have continued to press Israel to deal with the scenes of malnourishment and starvation that we’re seeing, to open up more sites to get more aid in to Gaza and we are very concerned about this continued offensive into Gaza City.”
Congressional Republican leaders, including chairwoman Elise Stefanik and Senator Rick Scott, have sent a letter to the UK, France, Canada, Australia and other key allies about recognition.
“This is a reckless policy that undermines prospects for peace,” wrote Ms Stefanik and Mr Scott.
“It sets the dangerous precedent that violence, not diplomacy, is the most expedient means for terrorist groups like Hamas to achieve their political aims.”
During his state visit to the UK, US President Donald Trump said he has “a disagreement with the Prime Minister” about recognition.
Hostages
A group of families of hostages taken in the October 7 attack warned that recognition could hamper efforts to release them.
In an open letter to Sir Keir, they said: “Your regrettable announcement of the UK’s intention to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly has dramatically complicated efforts to bring home our loved ones.
“Hamas has already celebrated the UK’s decision as a victory and reneged on a ceasefire deal.
“We write to you with a simple plea – do not take this step until our loved ones are home and in our arms.”
Ilay David, brother of hostage Evyatar David, who was seen emaciated in a Hamas video last month, said: “Giving this recognition is like saying to Hamas: ‘It is OK, you can keep starving the hostages, you can keep using them as human shields.’
“This kind of recognition gives Hamas power to be stubborn in negotiations. That is the last thing we need right now.”
Criticism also came from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who said: “Hamas and a Palestinian state are inseparable for now. This is typical of Starmer, he can’t really decide where he stands.
“Whatever the caveats in his statement, this announcement is a surrender to terrorism and a betrayal of Israel.”
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Israel are committing genocide in Gaza. Israel bombed Doha as negotiations for the release of hostages and ceasefire were about to begin. Israel reneged on two ceasefires before this. Israel does not give a toss about the hostages, they are now expanding their occupation into Syria and Lebanon for their greater Israel plan. And all they cry is hamas hamas as they slaughter more and more unarmed Palestinians every single day. Babies bombed to bits. Shame on Israel and shame on western governments.
A few problems: the Gazan population is growing, not shrinking, Isreal has the capability to wipe out Gaza in a matter of weeks yet this conflict is now almost two years old, can you name any other conflict where one party sends truck of food aid to the other? Can you name one where civilians are advised of where strikes are going to take place?
Utterly delusional to believe that a few food trucks or bombing press releases are anything other than tokenism for propaganda.
As with the extreme of the other side, their religions tell them they are supreme to an extent that they can exterminate people of other religions and take what is not theirs.
Hence the only eventual solution will be two states for the two peoples, where never the twain should meet.
pretty clear where you stand, surprised you haven’t declared yourself a proud zionist
What source have you for evidence that the population of Gaza is increasing?
An internet search gives declines of well over a hundred thousand.
You may have confused figures for projected population growth in Gaza which were made before the war began.
Israel not killing as many civilians, destroying homes ,infrastructure, hospitals, etc as much as they could do;
allowing less food aid than is needed to prevent the population starving;
advising civilians where and when they will be bombed apart from the times they don’t advise them.
Maybe isn’t the defence of Israel’s actions you think it is.
The Zionists are silly not to allow a Palestine State. All people’s deserve freedom. The Zionists have financed business in freedom nations. The UN should table a motion for quick settlement. Also the Zionists will benefit by buying land, after statehood.
Cool, so that means the proscription of PA is a legal double standard that will be impossible to defend in court 78 days after its implementation?
Recognise Palestine then stop rewarding terrorism by ending arms supply and the use of Akrotiri.
It is unlikely that the evil zionist government will stop committing genocide and ethnic cleansing of a semitic Palestinian population in Ghazza or indirectly in West Bank. Sir Kier needs to call out this genocide.
Jewish Zionists were given their own state of Israel in Palestine, despite having numerous terrorist groups such as Irgun and Lehi. So if we deny the state of Palestine because of Hamas then the state of Israel should also be annulled.
It should be a 2 nation solution or 0 nation solution, though my preference would be for a 3 nation solution; Israel, Palestine, plus a third UN controlled land to put everyone from either side who doesn’t behave.
There will never be a 2 state solution, it’s just a useful phrase that western governments can use in interviews to give the impression they’re serious about peace talks, Israel is not interested in a 2 state anything they have made it clear they want it all,
How can you recognise an ‘independent Palestinian State ‘ when no such geographical area exists, when the pseudo government of that ‘state’ is a proscribed organisation in this country, and in the same breath plan sanctions on said non state and non government?
Palestine is a historic state recognised by 147 of the 193 UN member states, which will obviously increase with the current genocide. The Palestinian state did not cease to exist after the Israeli invasion in 1967 and ongoing occupation, the same as Ukraine does not cease to exist after the Russia invasion in 2022 and ongoing occupation. Because both their religions allow total contempt for other people, oppression has meant both being transient over many centuries, hence both claiming the same lands. There will never be a solution between them and the disaster will continue as the outside forces with… Read more »
When things are a mess getting out of the mess is going to be messy.
I can’t see that arriving at a sustainable two state solution being a simple follow the traditionally accepted recipe process that you seem to be demanding.