British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has declared that the United Kingdom will formally recognise the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September—unless Israel takes immediate and concrete steps to end its military campaign in Gaza and commit to a long-term path toward peace.
The bold announcement follows an emergency cabinet meeting on the situation in Gaza and comes just a day after Starmer met with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Speaking on Tuesday, the Prime Minister outlined a series of conditions Israel must meet to avoid triggering the recognition: a full ceasefire, substantial action to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, renewed commitment to a two-state solution, no further annexations in the West Bank, and the reopening of UN-led aid deliveries.
“We can no longer sit on the sidelines while the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate,” Starmer said. “Our message is clear: unless Israel demonstrates a genuine commitment to peace and humanitarian access, the United Kingdom will move forward with recognising Palestine as a sovereign state at the UN in September.”
The decision marks a significant shift in Starmer’s previous stance. While he had previously supported Palestinian recognition as part of a comprehensive peace deal, his latest move positions statehood as a diplomatic lever rather than an outcome of negotiations.
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It’s a strategic pivot aimed at pressing Israel to change course amid escalating international pressure and rising civilian casualties in Gaza.
The UK’s announcement comes just days after French President Emmanuel Macron declared that France would also recognise a Palestinian state at the UN this September—making it the first G7 nation to do so. With Britain now following suit, the momentum for official recognition of Palestine appears to be accelerating across Europe.
The move has sparked debate at home and abroad, with some applauding the government for taking a firmer stance in pursuit of peace, while others warn it could inflame tensions further without achieving tangible results.
As the countdown to the UN General Assembly begins, all eyes will be on how Israel responds to mounting diplomatic pressure from some of its closest Western allies. For now, the UK has drawn a clear line: the road to peace must begin with a ceasefire—and the recognition of Palestinian statehood is no longer just a future goal, but a present ultimatum.
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