Recognition of Palestinian state conditional on ceasefire, says UK PM

Keir Starmer, British prime minister, has weighed in on talks recognising Palestine as a state.

On Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron said his country would formally recognise Palestine as a state in September.

France and the UK are members of several shared alliances and groups, including the G7 and NATO.

Bloomberg reported on Friday that the British PM is facing pressure from his cabinet to move quickly on the debated matter as record levels of hunger rattle Palestinians in Gaza amid heavy bombardment from Israel.

Starmer is also reported to be under pressure from France to give a nod on the issue.

In a statement on Thursday, Starmer said “statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people”.

“A ceasefire will put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution which guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis,” he added.

Talks between Israel and Hamas have been bogged down over competing demands for ending the war.

On Thursday, the US said it was pulling its team out from ceasefire negotiations, blaming Hamas’ “selfish” stance.

Starmer said all sides must engage in good faith, and at pace, to bring about an immediate ceasefire and for Hamas to unconditionally release all hostages.

“We strongly support the efforts of the US, Qatar and Egypt to secure this,” he added.

Successive British governments have said they will formally recognise a Palestinian state at the right time, without ever setting a timeline.

Anthony Albanese, Australian prime minister, also supported the notion for the recognition of a Palestinian state.

However, Israel has rejected calls for this move, arguing that this would endanger its security.