UK to recognise Palestine in September unless Israel takes 'substantive steps' in Gaza: Starmer

Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday announced that the United Kingdom will formally recognise the State of Palestine in September unless Israel takes a series of “substantive steps” in Gaza, including agreeing to a ceasefire.

The potentially historic decision, which Starmer described as part of a broader plan for “lasting peace,” follows his recall of the UK Cabinet from recess for emergency discussions on the escalating crisis in the besieged enclave.

According to an AFP report, citing Downing Street, Starmer informed his ministers that recognition of Palestinian statehood would proceed in September if the Israeli government fails to act on the key conditions set by London.

They include ending “the appalling situation in Gaza”, reaching a ceasefire, making “clear there will be no annexation in the West Bank”, and committing “to a long-term peace process that delivers a two-state solution,” it added.

“I have always said that we will recognise a Palestinian state as a contribution to a proper peace process at the moment of maximum impact for the two-state solution,” AFP quoted Starmer as saying in a Downing Street address.

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French President Emmanuel Macron announced last week that France would formally recognise a Palestinian state during the UN General Assembly in September.

Echoing that stance, Starmer said Britain would follow suit unless Israel takes “substantive steps” to end the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

If carried out, the UK and France would become the first G7 nations to formally endorse Palestinian statehood — a move that has already drawn sharp criticism from both Israel and the United States.

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However, reports suggested Starmer is believed to have presented his plan for the long-running conflict in the Middle East to US President Donald Trump when the pair met in Scotland on Monday.

Trump appeared to give his blessing for the recognition move, saying during a wide-ranging press conference lasting more than an hour that “I don’t mind him (Starmer) taking a position.”

Trump on Tuesday, however, dismissed the reports and said that he and Starmer did not discuss London’s plan to recognise a Palestinian state.

“We never did discuss it,” Reuters quoted Trump as telling reporters on board Air Force One while travelling back to the US after meeting Starmer in Scotland.

Trump said recognising a Palestinian state would reward Palestinian militant group Hamas.

“You’re rewarding Hamas if you do that. I don’t think they should be rewarded,” he said.

Trump said the US had sent money for food aid for Palestinians in Gaza, and that he wanted to make sure it’s properly spent.

“I want to make sure the money is spent wisely and is spent judiciously, and that food is distributed in a proper manner,” he said.

Speaking Tuesday, Starmer also detailed several demands for the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which is holding Israeli hostages seized in its attacks on October 7, 2023.

“They must immediately release all of the hostages, sign up to a ceasefire, disarm and accept that they will play no part in the government of Gaza,” he said.

The UK leader added that London “will make an assessment in September on how far the parties have met these steps”, adding: “No one should have a veto over our decision.”

‘Two-state solution’

Starmer has been under growing domestic and international pressure to formally recognise a Palestinian state, as the humanitarian situation in Gaza dramatically worsens.

Macron publicly pressed for joint recognition of Palestine during his UK state visit earlier this month, while an increasing number of MPs in Starmer’s ruling Labour party have been demanding action.

More than 220 British lawmakers from nine parties including Starmer’s Labour published a letter last Friday urging him to formally recognise a Palestinian state.

The commitment was included in Labour’s election-winning manifesto last year, as part of “a two-state solution with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state”.

Starmer’s office also said that the UK had dropped its first aid by air into the Gaza Strip, as UN aid agencies warned that the Palestinian territory of more than two million people was slipping into famine.

It said “the first airdrops of British aid” were landing Tuesday, “containing around half a million pounds’ worth of lifesaving supplies”.

“The Palestinian people have endured terrible suffering now in Gaza because of a catastrophic failure of aid. We see starving babies, children too weak to stand,” the UK leader said in a televised address.

“The suffering must end,” he added.

With inputs from agencies