UK Pledges Palestinian State Recognition by September Unless Israel Commits to Ending Gaza Crisis and Protecting Two-State Solution

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced to his cabinet on Tuesday that the United Kingdom intends to officially recognize a Palestinian state by next September. Starmer clarified that this recognition would be conditional, contingent upon the Israeli government taking concrete steps to end the "horrific situation" in the Gaza Strip. He framed this move as a measure to "protect the two-state solution."

A Downing Street spokesperson quoted Starmer during the cabinet meeting, stating that the "increasingly untenable situation in Gaza and the diminishing prospects for a two-state solution" make the recognition of a Palestinian state a necessary step now. This statement highlights the urgency the British government perceives in addressing the current crisis.

The spokesperson further added that "the United Kingdom will recognize a Palestinian state before the UN General Assembly convenes in September, unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the horrific situation in Gaza, agrees to a ceasefire, clarifies its intention not to annex West Bank territories, and commits to a lasting peace process leading to a two-state solution." These clear conditions outline the criteria Israel must meet to avoid unilateral British recognition of a Palestinian state.

Starmer affirmed that the UK does not equate Israel with Hamas, emphasizing that British demands on Hamas remain in place, including the release of hostages and an end to rocket fire. This clarification aims to separate London's stance on the Israeli government from its position on Hamas, maintaining diplomatic balance.

Starmer had previously indicated that recognizing a Palestinian state is an essential component to ensuring the resumption of the peace process, but he had linked this to on-the-ground and political conditions that would allow this goal to be achieved. Today's new statements set a more defined timeline and specify the conditions more clearly, indicating a shift in the British approach to the Israeli-Palestinian issue.