British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce the recognition of Palestine as an independent state this Sunday afternoon, according to sources.
This shift follows a statement in July where Starmer indicated the UK’s position would change in September unless Israel met certain conditions, including agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza and committing to a long-term peace deal that aligns with a two-state solution.
This move marks a significant departure from UK’s foreign policy, which linked such recognition to the peace process and aimed to implement it when it would have the greatest impact.
The decision has sparked backlash from Israeli officials, families of hostages taken by Hamas, and some members of the Conservative Party. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticised the move, calling it a “reward for terror.”
However, UK ministers argue that recognising Palestine is necessary to maintain hope for a long-term peace agreement.
Sources within the government highlighted the deteriorating situation in Gaza, including the widespread violence and starvation. The ongoing military operation in Gaza, which a UN official called “cataclysmic,” has led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.
A United Nations inquiry earlier this week accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, a claim Israel vehemently rejected, calling the report “distorted and false.”
UK ministers also expressed concern over Israel’s continued expansion of settlements in the West Bank, which are illegal under international law. Justice Secretary David Lammy pointed to the controversial E1 settlement project, which he said could endanger any hopes of a viable Palestinian state.
“The recognition of a Palestinian state 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,” Lammy stated.
Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas expressed his approval of the UK’s recognition pledge when he met with Starmer earlier this month. Downing Street said both leaders agreed that Hamas would not be involved in any future Palestinian government.
However, in an open letter to Starmer, the families of some hostages taken by Hamas requested that the recognition be delayed until the remaining hostages, 48 of whom are still being held, are released. Of those 48, 20 are believed to still be alive.
During a state visit to the UK this week, US President Donald Trump also voiced his opposition to the recognition of a Palestinian state.
Starmer had set a deadline for the UN General Assembly meeting, which is currently taking place, for Israel to take “substantive steps” to end the violence in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire, and commit to a long-term peace process that would revive the two-state solution.
“I’ve always said 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,” Starmer had remarked in July.
Several countries, including Portugal, France, Canada, and Australia, have already announced their intention to recognise a Palestinian state. Spain, Ireland, and Norway took similar steps last year.
Although Palestine is recognised by about 75% of the UN’s 193 member states, it still lacks internationally agreed boundaries, a capital, and an army. This makes recognition largely symbolic, as there is no unified political structure or control over the territory.
The two-state solution envisions the creation of an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza, with East Jerusalem as its capital. However, Israel currently occupies both territories, meaning the Palestinian Authority has limited control over its land and people.
The call for Palestinian statehood has been a long-standing goal for many within the Labour Party, and Starmer has faced increasing pressure from MPs on the left of his party to take a firmer stance on Israel.
Before delivering his speech in July, more than half of Labour MPs had signed a letter urging the UK government to immediately recognise a Palestinian state.
However, critics questioned why the government placed conditions on Israel’s actions while not holding Hamas to the same standard. Officials from the Foreign Office maintained that their stance on Hamas remains unchanged and emphasised that recognition of Palestinian statehood is a right for the Palestinian people, regardless of Hamas’ involvement.
Starmer reiterated during a meeting with President Trump that Hamas would have “no part” in any future Palestinian state.
Israel’s military offensive in Gaza has killed at least 64,964 people since October of 2023.
