A 'huge step', but 'too late?

Gazans say they are happy with the UK's recognition of Palestine – but say it is futile if not backed up by more action

- ALEX CROFT

Palestinians are tentatively welcoming a “huge step” forward for peace after Sir Keir Starmer announced the UK’s formal recognition of the state of Palestine yesterday - but say the government needs to go further.

A diplomatic row between Israel and the UK is set to deepen after the prime minister announced the historic step yesterday, to “revive the hope of peace and a two-state solution”.

As the Israeli foreign ministry condemned the move, saying it rewards Hamas, and Washington makes known its disapproval, Palestinians are welcoming the announcement.

But some say it has come far later than it should have, following decades of repressive occupation in the Palestinian territories and nearly two years of an Israeli military campaign in Gaza, which a UN inquiry has now denounced as genocide.

Here, The Independent speaks to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza about a historic moment for both Britain and the Palestinian people.

'A huge, historic step'

After years of calling for their own recognition in the eyes of countries around the world, Palestinians are unequivocal about the importance of their statehood being recognised by the UK.

Australia and Canada also took the landmark step today, with France and Portugal among the other countries also set to do so this month.

Dr Ahmed al-Farra is the head of paediatrics at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, one of the few remaining hospitals that still function in the strip.

He hailed the “crucial step forward” which he said shows “drastic changes in the British understanding of the Palestinian cause”.

But it must be noted, he added, that the decision has come after the British government has continued to export weapons to Israel that he says have been used to “kill Gazans”.