London: Sir Keir Starmer is expected to announce the United Kingdom's recognition of a Palestinian state in a statement on Sunday afternoon. The move marks a significant shift in the UK's foreign policy stance amid ongoing tensions and violence in the region.
According to BBC, the prime minister indicated in July that the UK would change its position unless Israel met certain conditions, such as agreeing to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and committing to a long-term peace process leading to a Palestinian state co-existing alongside Israel. However, the Israeli leadership has rejected these conditions since the onset of the conflict, which followed a Hamas attack in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in 1,200 fatalities and 251 hostages.
Efforts to secure a ceasefire and a long-term resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict have so far been unsuccessful. A recent Israeli airstrike on a Hamas negotiating team in Qatar has further complicated the situation, provoking international condemnation. Government sources have highlighted the deteriorating conditions in Gaza, characterized by starvation and violence, as a factor in the decision to recognize Palestinian statehood.
Israel's latest military operation in Gaza City has displaced hundreds of thousands of people, with the conflict over the past two years resulting in significant loss of life and destruction in Palestinian territories. A UN commission of inquiry recently accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians, a charge that Israel has dismissed as inaccurate.
The ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, deemed illegal under international law, has also influenced the UK's decision. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy emphasized the importance of a two-state solution, urging the UK to stand by the Palestinian cause.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the UK's recognition pledge during a recent visit with Sir Keir. Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian representative in the UK, described the recognition as an "inalienable right" that acknowledges Palestinian existence. However, some critics, including Conservative shadow chancellor Mel Stride, argue that the recognition may not yield significant leverage or results.
Family members of hostages held by Hamas have expressed concerns that the recognition could complicate efforts to secure their release. Despite these challenges, the UK government maintains that recognition of Palestinian statehood is a right and should not be contingent on the actions of Hamas.
The decision comes as several other countries, including Portugal, France, Canada, and Australia, have also expressed intentions to recognize a Palestinian state. Currently, around 75% of UN member states recognize Palestine, though it lacks internationally defined boundaries and sovereignty.
Recognition of Palestinian statehood has been a longstanding issue within the Labour Party, with Sir Keir facing pressure from party members to adopt a firmer stance on Israel. The government insists that its demands on Hamas, including the release of hostages and a ceasefire, remain unchanged while emphasizing that Palestinian statehood is independent of Hamas' actions.
