British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday said the UK will recognise the state of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September unless Israel moves towards a ceasefire in Gaza, reported news agency PTI.
In an address from 10 Downing Street, Starmer also asked Hamas to immediately release all the Israeli hostages taken on October 7, sign up to an immediate ceasefire and commit to disarmament as well as accept that it will play no part in the government of Gaza, reported PTI.
“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,” said Starmer, reported PTI.
“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 UN 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,” he said, reported PTI.
The British Prime Minister said his appeal includes allowing the UN to restart the supply of aid and making clear there will 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,” he said, reported PTI.
Israel rejected Prime Minister Starmer`s statement, saying that the shift in the British government`s position constitutes a reward for Hamas.
“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 Israel Foreign Ministry said on social media.
Meanwhile, Starmer reiterated that an assessment will be made in September of how far the parties have met their conditions, “but no one should have a veto over our decision”, reported PTI.
He noted that he had discussed the issue with US President Donald Trump during their talks in Scotland on Monday, paving the way for a major effort to get humanitarian supplies back into Gaza.
“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 said, reported PTI.
He stressed that the Palestinian people have “endured terrible suffering”, with Gaza the scene of “starving babies, children too weak to stand, images that will stay with us for a lifetime”.
“Suffering must end,” Starmer said, adding that the UK`s “primary aim” was “to change the situation on the ground for people who desperately need change”, reported PTI.
The address preceded Foreign Secretary David Lammy`s statement presenting the UK`s stance at the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East.
The development follows French President Emmanuel Macron`s decision earlier, making France the first G7 country and Permanent Member of the UN Security Council to announce his decision to recognise the state of Palestine to pile on pressure on Israel amid the Middle East conflict.
(With inputs from PTI)