UK will recognise Palestinian state unless Israel accepts Gaza ceasefire, says PM

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the United Kingdom (UK) will recognise Palestine as a state in September, ahead of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) — but with conditions attached.

Starmer spoke on Tuesday after a cabinet meeting he held earlier in the day.

Starmer condemned the record levels of starvation crisis in Gaza fuelled by accusations of a blockage of aid by Israel, but Israel has denied the allegations.

“The suffering must end,” Starmer said.

The UK PM said his country is mounting a major effort to get humanitarian supplies back in by air.

He noted that “the only way to bring this humanitarian crisis to an end is through a long-term settlement”.

“Our goal remains a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state. But right now, that goal is under pressure like never before,” he added.

“I’ve always said that 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.

“With that solution now under threat, this is the moment to act.

“So today, as part of this process towards peace, I can confirm the UK will recognise the state of Palestine by the United Nations General Assembly in September.”

However, Starmer said the recognition would be conditional—a stance he took last week after Emmanuel Macron, French president, announced that France would recognise the Palestinian state at UNGA.

At the time, the British prime minister did not set a date of the recognition.

“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,” Starmer noted as the conditions in Tuesday’s speech.

He also added that Israel would also be required to allow the UN to resume aid supply into Gaza and ensure that there would be no annexations in the West Bank.

“Meanwhile, our message to the terrorists of Hamas is unchanged and unequivocal. They must immediately release all of the hostages, sign up to a ceasefire, disarm, and accept that they will play no part in the government of Gaza,” Starmer added.

The prime minister said the UK will make an assessment ahead of UNGA on how far the parties have met these steps before making a final decision, ensuring that no one side will have a veto.

Starmer’s decision comes amid heavy reported pressure from his cabinet to immediately recognise Palestine as a state.

France’s recognition made it the first member of the G7, a shared alliance with the UK, to publicly side with the prospect of a Palestinian statehood.

Meanwhile, the Israeli ministry of foreign affairs, rejected the UK’s position.

“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 ministry said in a statement.

Ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas have been strained over competing demands for ending the war.

Last week, the US, a major mediator in the talks, pulled its team out from negotiations, blaming Hamas’ “selfish” stance.