 "Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer. AFP File")
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer could recognise the Palestinian state as early as this weekend.
Lately, as death toll has kept rising in the Gaza Strip from Israeli bombardment and the humanitarian situation worsened by Israel’s restrictions on the flow of aid, several countries have pledged to recognise the Palestinian state to build pressure on Israel, such as the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and Australia.
Starmer will recognise the Palestinian state over the weekend after the conclusion of Trump’s state visit, according to The Times of London.
Starmer delayed the announcement until after Trump’s visit over concerns that the issue could dominate their press conference on Thursday, the newspaper said.
Starmer and Trump have opposite views on Israel’s war in Gaza. While Starmer has committed to the two-state solution and has criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the war and policies of his extremist allies, Trump has not just supported Netanyahu’s war to the hilt but has essentially killed the two-state solution with his plan to occupy Gaza and expel all Palestinians from the region.
Even though many developed countries do not recognise the Palestinian state, around 140 of 193 members of the United Nations (UN) —nearly three-fourths— recognise the Palestinian state.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts| Period | Recognition Milestone | Total Countries |
|---|---|---|
| November 15, 1988 | Palestinian Declaration of Independence | - |
| December 1988 | First wave of recognition | 75 countries |
| February 1989 | Early milestone | 93 countries |
| 1990s | Second wave | ~100+ countries |
| 2000-2010 | Third wave (Africa/Latin America) | ~130+ countries |
| 2012 | UN Non-Member Observer State status | - |
| 2014-2024 | European breakthrough | ~145 countries |
| 2025 | Western ally surge | 147 countries |
‘This is the moment to act’
Earlier this year, Starmer said the United Kingdom would recognise the Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly session in September if Israel would not take substantive actions to end the conflict in Gaza and improve the humanitarian crisis.
Starmer on July 29 said that he had always said the UK would recognise a Palestinian state “as a contribution to a proper peace process, at the moment of maximum impact for the two-state solution”.
Starmer further said, “With that solution now under threat, this is the moment to act. So today, as part of this process towards peace, I can confirm the UK will recognise the state of Palestine by the United Nations general assembly in September 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, reviving the prospect of a two-state solution.
“This includes allowing the UN to restart the supply of aid, and making clear there will be no annexations in the West Bank. Meanwhile, our message to the terrorists of Hamas is unchanged and unequivocal.”
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As the Israeli campaign in Gaza in response to the October 7 attack killed tens of thousands of people, destroyed over 90 per cent of buildings , and displaced nearly the entire population, several countries moved towards recognising the Palestinian state: Ireland, Norway, and Spain had recognised the Palestinian state in 2024, and Carribean nations of Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Bahamas had recognised it before them.