The United Kingdom is preparing to officially recognise a Palestinian state on Sunday after Israel failed to meet conditions earlier set by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
According to The Guardian, Starmer will make the announcement ahead of the UN General Assembly, saying the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank have left no other option.
In July, Starmer warned that recognition would come if Israel did not commit to a ceasefire, allow more humanitarian aid, and support a two-state solution. None of those conditions have been met.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy explained the government’s decision.
“It’s important to state that the recognition of a Palestinian state is a consequence of the serious expansion that we’re seeing in the West Bank, the settler violence that we’re seeing in the West Bank and the intention and indications that we’re seeing to build, for example, the E1 development that would run a coach and horses through the possibility of a two-state solution,” Lammy said.
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The UK stressed that the recognition is not a reward for Hamas, and that the group will have no role in the future governance of Gaza. The government also plans to tighten sanctions on Hamas while continuing to press for the release of hostages.
But Israel’s war on Gaza has intensified. Health officials in Gaza said at least 14 people were killed in overnight airstrikes on Saturday. In Israel, thousands marched with families of hostages demanding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu negotiate an end to the war.
Families of some of the 48 hostages still in captivity strongly criticised the UK’s move.
In a letter to Starmer, they wrote: “Your regrettable announcement of the UK’s intention to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly has dramatically complicated efforts to bring home our loved ones.”
The decision puts Starmer’s government at odds with the United States and comes as 147 of the UN’s 193 member states already recognise Palestine. High-level meetings at the UN summit begin on 23 September.