Starmer resists recognising unilateral Palestinian state

Sir Keir Starmer has indicated he will not agree to recognise a unilateral Palestine as a state, as a civil war over the issue threatens to erupt in his party.

- DAVID MADDOX

With tensions mounting in the Middle East, given the ongoing blockade of Gaza by Israel and the region on the brink of all-out war between Israel and Iran, Sir Keir made it clear that the UK government will not budge.

The prime minister said: "Our position on recognition of Palestine as part of the process hasn't changed for us. I hold very strongly to the belief that the only long-term solution to the conflict in the Middle East is a two-state solution. However hard that may seem at the moment in the current circumstances, that is the only way to peace. So that continues to be our position."

His comments came as the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Labour's biggest financial backer, issued a joint statement with its Canadian and French counterparts calling on the UK government to change its position.

It makes three demands, including recognising Palestine's statehood. They are calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and for the government to ensure the Israeli government meets its obligations under international humanitarian law.

The statement said: "We urge our governments to formally recognise the State of Palestine now and to stand firm in their opposition to the atrocities committed in Gaza and in the West Bank.