Starmer confirms formal recognition of Palestine

Sir Keir Starmer has taken the historic step of recognising the state of Palestine, marking a major milestone in the push towards peace in the Middle East as Israel continues its offensive in Gaza.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL

The move comes after the UK shifted its position in July and laid down the gauntlet to Israel, saying recognition would happen if it did not meet a list of demands, including a ceasefire.

While it is largely symbolic, it has sparked fury in Israel, which condemned the recognition as “rewarding Hamas”, and represents a key divergence between UK and US foreign policy, with Washington resisting pressure to follow suit.

Announcing the move yesterday, Sir Keir said: “In the face of the growing horror in the Middle East, we are acting to keep alive the possibility of peace and a two-state solution, that means a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state.”

“To revive the hope of peace and a two-state solution, I state clearly as prime minister of this great country, that the United Kingdom, formally recognises the state of Palestine,” he added.

In a bid to head off opposition from the US, where President Donald Trump has said recognition is one of the few points of contention between him and Sir Keir, the prime minister confirmed he will also hit Hamas, which he described as a “brutal terror organisation”, with fresh sanctions.

He also restated his demands for the group to release all the hostages seized during Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack, which also saw 1,200 killed, agree to an immediate ceasefire and accept it will have no role in the government of Gaza.

He said: “We are clear, this solution is not a reward for Hamas, because it means Hamas can have no future, no role in government, no role in security.

“We have already prescribed and sanctioned Hamas, and we will go further. I have directed work to sanction other Hamas figures in the coming weeks.”

And he condemned Israel's ongoing bombardment of Gaza, calling for an immediate end to the offensive.