Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state is a “reward for Hamas”, Israel has claimed. Tel Aviv “rejects the statement by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom”, the country’s foreign ministry said.
A statement posted on X added: “The shift in the British Government’s position at this time, following the French move and internal political pressures, constitutes a reward for Hamas and harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of hostages.” The Prime Minister recalled his senior team of ministers from their summer recess to discuss the situation in Gaza, where the population is facing a mounting famine, according to warnings from the United Nations. A readout of the Cabinet meeting issued by Downing Street said Sir Keir told ministers “now was the right time to move this position” on the two-state solution.
It comes after the Prime Minister had been under increasing pressure to recognise Palestine amid the warnings of starvation in Gaza.
Speaking from Downing Street’s state dining room – sometimes used for press statements – the Prime Minister then told reporters that the Government will “make an assessment in September on how far the parties have met these steps”.
When asked why Palestinian recognition was conditional on Israel de-escalating the situation, Sir Keir said the British Government was focused on getting aid into Gaza and getting hostages released.
He added: “This is intended to further that course, and it is done now because I am particularly concerned that the very idea of a two-state solution is reducing and feels further away today than it has for many, many years, and, therefore, it should be seen in both of those contexts.”
While Sir Keir has suggested UK recognition of Palestine is conditional on the crisis not abating, No 10 is understood to believe that such a two-state solution would also proceed from negotiations towards a sustained peace.
The UK will keep working with its allies to “end the suffering, get aid flooding into Gaza and deliver a more stable future for the Middle East”, Sir Keir said, adding: “Because I know that is what the British people desperately want to see.”
In a hardening of his language about the crisis in Gaza, the Prime Minister has claimed the British public is “revolted” by scenes of starvation in the territory.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: “When the country is looking for answers on asylum hotels, the cost of living is getting worse, and doctors are threatening to go on strike again – further endangering lives, it’s disgraceful that Keir Starmer recalled his Cabinet to try and sort out a political problem for the Labour Party.
“Recognising a Palestinian state won’t bring the hostages home, won’t end the war and won’t get aid into Gaza. This is political posturing at its very worst.”