Britain To Recognize Palestinian State Unless Israel Agrees To Ceasefire In Gaza

The UK says it will recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza.“I have always said that we will recognize a Palestinian state as a contribution to a proper peace process at the moment of maximum impact for the two-state solution,”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in press briefing after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.“I can confirm the UK will recognize 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.”

Israel’s foreign ministry rejected Starmer’s announcement and said the move constitutes a “reward for Hamas” and harms efforts to implement a ceasefire in Gaza and release the remaining hostages.

Starmer has been facing mounting pressure from within his Labour party to take a tougher line on Israel, made more acute after Macron’s recent announcement that France would recognize a Palestinian state in September, becoming the first G7 country to do so.