Blitz Bureau
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that Britain will recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel takes steps to relieve suffering in Gaza, where starvation is spreading, and reaches a ceasefire in the nearly twoyear war with Hamas. In a Cabinet meeting on July 30 focused on the Gaza conflict, Starmer told ministers that the UK would support Palestinian statehood ahead of the United Nations General Assembly if Israel fails to meet a set of conditions.
These include ending the ongoing military operations in Gaza, halting plans for annexation in the West Bank, and committing to a peace process aimed at a two-state solution. About 140 countries formally recognise a Palestinian state, and last week, France pledged to do so at the same UN meeting.
In a statement, Downing Street called on Israel to immediately allow the United Nations to resume the delivery of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza to prevent starvation, agree to a ceasefire, and clearly state that there will be no annexations in the West Bank.
The statement also called on Hamas to immediately release all hostages, Xinhua news agency reported. Starmer elaborated on the conditional nature of recognising a Palestinian state during a press conference. He said the British Government’s primary goal is to change the reality on the ground, and that “this is intended to further that cause.” Starmer also explained the timing of the announcement: “I’m particularly concerned that the idea of a two-state solution is receding and feels further away today than it has for many years.”
“There is no better solution for the future of the region than two states,” with Israel living with its secure borders recognized and at peace with their neighbours free from the threat of terrorism, and Palestinians living in their own state, in dignity and security free of occupations, said British Foreign Secretary David Lammy on July 29 at a high-level international conference on “The Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution” held at the UN headquarters.
At a media press stakeout after his statement at the meeting, Lammy said the decision that has been taken “puts us on a pathway towards recognition” of the State of Palestine. “We have seen the most terrific scenes. The global community is deeply offended by children being shot and killed as they reach out for aid,” he told reporters.
