British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is poised to announce the UK's recognition of a Palestinian state in a statement expected Sunday afternoon.

Starmer had previously warned in July that the UK would reconsider its stance unless Israel met several conditions, including agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza and recommitting to a two-state peace process. Israel has consistently rejected these terms since the war began on 7 October 2023, triggered by Hamas’s attack on southern Israel, which left 1,200 dead and 251 taken hostage.

The move has provoked strong backlash from the Israeli government, hostage families, and some members of the Conservative Party. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the decision, calling it a "reward for terror".

This policy shift marks a major departure from longstanding British foreign policy, which maintained that Palestinian recognition should come through a negotiated peace agreement. Ministers argue, however, that the deteriorating situation on the ground compels immediate action to preserve any hope of lasting peace.

The Gaza conflict continues to escalate, with a recent Israeli airstrike on Hamas negotiators in Qatar drawing international condemnation. UK officials cited images of starvation and violence in Gaza, described by Starmer as "intolerable", as justification for the timing of the move.

A UN commission this week accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, claims Israel rejected as “false”. The ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza City, labelled “cataclysmic” by a UN official, has displaced hundreds of thousands and, according to Hamas-run health authorities, has left over 65,000 dead.

UK ministers also cited the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the controversial E1 settlement plan as critical factors.

Deputy PM David Lammy defended the decision, saying recognition aligns with a moral imperative to support the two-state solution, though he acknowledged it won’t directly end hostilities or free hostages.

The announcement comes amid mounting pressure on Starmer from within his Labour Party and increasing global recognition of Palestinian statehood, despite objections from the US and Israel.

Source: BBC

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