Britain will recognise a Palestinian state by September unless Israel takes concrete steps to end the conflict in Gaza, halt the annexation of the West Bank and revive peace talks, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday. The move marks a significant shift in British foreign policy and reflects changing Western position about the wider Arab-Israeli conflict.
Starmer made the declaration in an address that set out specific conditions for Israel and Hamas. He said the Israeli government must agree to a ceasefire, allow unhindered humanitarian aid into Gaza and abandon plans to annex the West Bank. At the same time, he called on Hamas to release all hostages taken during the October 2023 attack, commit to disarmament and accept it would not play any role in the future governance of Gaza.
“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 unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza,” Starmer said. His statement aligns Britain with France, whose President Emmanuel Macron announced last week that France would extend recognition to Palestine during the UN General Assembly in New York. Together, they would become the first G7 nations to take this step, joining more than 140 countries that already recognise Palestinian statehood.
Unlike Macron, however, Starmer has tied recognition to a set of conditions. He said his decision would be based on whether both Israel and Hamas had met the UK’s expectations. Downing Street confirmed that the prime minister had discussed the matter in separate calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The announcement reflects mounting international concern over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where nearly 22 months of war have left more than 60,000 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza's health ministry. Yesterday, a UN-backed food security group warned that famine conditions were now taking hold across the enclave.
The UK’s decision marks the first time a British government has set a timeline and conditions for recognising a Palestinian state. It represents a departure from the long-held position that recognition would come only as part of a final peace agreement with Israel.
Although largely symbolic, recognition would carry diplomatic consequences. It would mean the appointment of a Palestinian ambassador to the UK and a British ambassador to Palestine, formalising bilateral ties. Supporters see it as a necessary step to jumpstart political negotiations and reaffirm international commitment to a two-state solution.
Starmer’s position has drawn sharp criticism from Israel. Netanyahu accused the British prime minister of rewarding terrorism, saying on social media: “Starmer rewards Hamas's monstrous terrorism and punishes its victims. A jihadist state on Israel's border today will threaten Britain tomorrow.” Israel’s foreign ministry echoed this sentiment, stating that recognition would “reward Hamas and harm efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of hostages.”
Opposition leaders in Israel were equally scathing, but also blamed the Netanyahu government for mishandling diplomacy and isolating the country.
Palestinian leaders welcomed the UK’s stance. Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, speaking after a meeting with the British foreign secretary in New York, said the move would help revive hopes for a Palestinian state comprising the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.
The announcement follows a meeting between Starmer and US President Donald Trump in Scotland earlier this week, where Gaza was a key topic. While Trump initially appeared indifferent to Starmer's plans, saying, “I don’t mind him taking a position,” he later distanced himself, claiming the issue had not been discussed and warned against moves that would “reward Hamas.”
Starmer has been facing growing pressure at home to act. Senior cabinet members including Angela Rayner and Yvette Cooper support recognition, while others such as Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood have raised the issue in cabinet meetings. More than 250 MPs, including a third of Labour’s own MPs, have signed a cross-party letter calling for immediate recognition. Polls also show public support, with nearly half of respondents favouring recognition compared to just 13 per cent opposed.
A government statement issued late yesterday reinforced the conditions set out by the prime minister. It said the UK would proceed with recognition unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire, pledged not to annex the West Bank and took substantive steps to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Hamas, it said, must release hostages, accept a ceasefire and renounce any role in Gaza’s political future. The statement added that Britain was working with allies, including France, on a “credible peace plan” to support transitional governance in Gaza, ensure the delivery of aid and move towards a negotiated two-state solution. This would involve the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the removal of Hamas leadership from the territory.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot welcomed the UK’s announcement, describing it as a “momentous decision” that could help break the cycle of violence in the region.