Minister denies Palestine pledge is gesture politics

A CABINET minister has rejected the idea that Sir Keir Starmer’s pledge to recognise a Palestinian state is gesture politics, as the Prime Minister faced pushback from Israel over his decision.

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Heidi Alexander told the BBC the decision is “about the Palestinian people”.

Sir Keir announced on Tuesday the UK could take the step of recognising statehood in September, ahead of a major UN gathering.

The UK will refrain from doing so only if Israel allows more aid into Gaza, stops annexing land in the West Bank, agrees to a ceasefire, and signs up to a long-term peace process over the next two months.

The move has been criticised by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who claimed it “rewards Hamas's monstrous terrorism”.