Picture courtesy of AFP

 

The UK has said it will recognise a Palestinian state by September unless Israel agrees to a Gaza ceasefire. Prime Minister Keir Starmer made the statement following a cabinet meeting, emphasising the UK's intention to effectively influence the peace process.

 

Starmer declared, "The UK will recognise the State of Palestine unless Israel takes substantive steps to end the crisis in Gaza and revives a two-state solution." This announcement followed his remarks about the British public's revulsion over Gaza's humanitarian crisis, delivered alongside President Donald Trump in Scotland.

 

Israel's foreign ministry immediately dismissed the UK's plans, accusing them of rewarding Hamas and hindering ceasefire efforts. Trump echoed this sentiment, criticising Starmer's position while saying the US would not follow suit. Despite this, France applauded the UK's stance, with its foreign minister noting the UK joins a growing momentum for Palestine's recognition.

 

The announcement has caused a stir within Starmer's Labour Party, leading to calls for a firmer stance on Israel. The response was further intensified after French President Emmanuel Macron announced France's intention to recognise Palestine, setting a precedent among G7 nations.

 

Saudi Arabia and the Palestinian Authority welcomed the UK’s intention, noting that it aligns with international law and supports a sustainable peace process. However, Scottish First Minister John Swinney expressed that Palestinian statehood should remain unconditional and supported by sanctions if violence persists.

 

Starmer emphasised that the worsening conditions in Gaza and the decreasing likelihood of achieving a two-state solution were key factors influencing his decision. He underlined the UK's commitment to altering ground realities, emphasising the crucial role of international assistance and the renewal of peace dialogues.

 

Amid growing humanitarian concerns, a UN food agency reported that over 20,000 children in Gaza are suffering from severe malnutrition. The UK aims to bring these issues to the fore at the upcoming UN General Assembly, hoping to impact the situation constructively.

 

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy reinforced Starmer’s position at the United Nations, urging Israel to address the dire situation in Gaza and commit to sustainable peace efforts. He stressed the urgency of safeguarding the two-state solution, asserting the UK's balanced support for Israel's security and Palestinian statehood.

 

Spain, Ireland, and Norway recognised Palestinian statehood last year; most other European nations remain hesitant. The UK's stance adds significant pressure and could shift the diplomatic landscape if Israel doesn't pivot towards peace.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from CNN 2025-07-30

 

 

 

 

 

How stupid is that from Starmer .

The incentive is now on Hamas to keep  attacking Israel to keep the conflict going so Israel do not agree to a ceasefire .

  Hamas now just needs to go full on war mode and then the UK will recognise a Palestinian state .

   Its encouraging Hamas violence and then rewarding them 

3 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

How stupid is that from Starmer .

The incentive is now on Hamas to keep  attacking Israel to keep the conflict going so Israel do not agree to a ceasefire .

  Hamas now just needs to go full on war mode and then the UK will recognise a Palestinian state .

   Its encouraging Hamas violence and then rewarding them 

The Parstinaian are not capable of running a national state.  

4 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

How stupid is that from Starmer .

The incentive is now on Hamas to keep  attacking Israel to keep the conflict going so Israel do not agree to a ceasefire .

  Hamas now just needs to go full on war mode and then the UK will recognise a Palestinian state .

   Its encouraging Hamas violence and then rewarding them 

Right now who’s doing the attacking, who’s doing the killing, who’s on full war mode?

 

The stupidity and d this is to base recognition of the State of Palestine on anything other than the right of Palestinians to sovereignty in the land that is their home.

 

Laughable empty ultimatum

Starmer has been itching to do this for ages.

 

Now he's actually encouraging Hamas to fight so that there is no ceasefire and they get what they wanted all along. Maybe Corbyn has been in touch with his "friends at Hamas" and then influenced Starmer to do this? Either way, he'd have been better off keeping his mouth shut and focusing on the monumental problems in Britain. 

 

I guess he couldn't resist playing the Global Statesman again. 

Every time Israel agrees to terms for a ceasefire, Hanas adds unacceptable demands, so talks break down.

Has there ever been a conflict in history where the losers set the conditions for a ceasefire?

Finally more and more countries are standing against Israeli actions. Late and not enough yet though.

How many times do the Palestinians have to say that they will only accept one state, from the river to the sea. So what is the extent of the state that Starmer is recognising.

5 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

How stupid is that from Starmer .

The incentive is now on Hamas to keep  attacking Israel to keep the conflict going so Israel do not agree to a ceasefire .

  Hamas now just needs to go full on war mode and then the UK will recognise a Palestinian state .

   Its encouraging Hamas violence and then rewarding them 

Sadly misguided as ever. The UK's plan explicitly excludes Hamas from any role in Gaza's future governance or the broader Palestinian state framework. Starmer has demanded that Hamas release all hostages, agree to a ceasefire, disarm, and accept no part in governing Gaza. This reflects the UK's designation of Hamas as a terrorist organization, ensuring it would not be recognized as a legitimate actor in a Palestinian state.

 

The focus is on strengthening the Palestinian Authority, seen as the sole legitimate governing entity. This conditional recognition aims to pressure Israel to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and revive peace talks.

 

If implemented, UK recognition would align it with over 140 countries, including recent moves by Spain, Ireland, Norway, and France, enhancing Palestine’s diplomatic standing.

What an absolute moron the UK has for a PM.     

 

So if there is no ceasefire by September (which Hamas does not want as they don't want to return the sausages hostages) then this moron will recognize a Palestinian state.  So then Hamas can tell the world and likeminded terrorists that the massacre perpetrated by the terrorists on 7th October was what secured the international recognition of a Palestinian state.   Absolutely clueless in absolutely everything he does.   

7 minutes ago, James105 said:

What an absolute moron the UK has for a PM. 

could not put it better myself 

31 minutes ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

Sadly misguided as ever. The UK's plan explicitly excludes Hamas from any role in Gaza's future governance or the broader Palestinian state framework. Starmer has demanded that Hamas release all hostages, agree to a ceasefire, disarm, and accept no part in governing Gaza. This reflects the UK's designation of Hamas as a terrorist organization, ensuring it would not be recognized as a legitimate actor in a Palestinian state.

 

The focus is on strengthening the Palestinian Authority, seen as the sole legitimate governing entity. This conditional recognition aims to pressure Israel to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and revive peace talks.

 

If implemented, UK recognition would align it with over 140 countries, including recent moves by Spain, Ireland, Norway, and France, enhancing Palestine’s diplomatic standing.

 

If Hamas does not return the hostages then there will be no ceasefire.  If there is a ceasefire then virtue signalling morons like Starmer will not recognize Palestine as a state so agreeing to a ceasefire is not in the interests of the terrorists.   Starmer did not make returning the hostages a condition of recognizing Palestine as a state, the only conditions are on Israel.  So in September (unless he does yet another u turn which of course he will as he is a weak visionless moron and that is what those types do) then Hamas will be governing the terrorist state of Palestine with their stated intention of killing every single Jew in Israel.  

6 minutes ago, James105 said:

 

If Hamas does not return the hostages then there will be no ceasefire.  If there is a ceasefire then virtue signalling morons like Starmer will not recognize Palestine as a state so agreeing to a ceasefire is not in the interests of the terrorists.   Starmer did not make returning the hostages a condition of recognizing Palestine as a state, the only conditions are on Israel.  So in September (unless he does yet another u turn which of course he will as he is a weak visionless moron and that is what those types do) then Hamas will be governing the terrorist state of Palestine with their stated intention of killing every single Jew in Israel.  

Nobody cares what UK recognizes anymore. They are clearly compromised 

with the way the islamic invasion is conquering England and King Chuck now praising Allah it doesn't surprise me that Starmer would do this...however, all those suffering from Stockholm Syndrome forget the one salient point of who started this bun fight on the 7th

Starmer says he will recognize a Palestinian state if there is no ceasefire. This begs the question will he not recognize a Palestinian state if there is a ceasefire ? Very odd. He needs an upgraded speech writer. 

2 hours ago, James105 said:

then Hamas will be governing the terrorist state of Palestine with their stated intention of killing every single Jew in Israel.  

 

Is that the same Hamas that have just been proscribed as a terrorist organization in the UK ?
 

1 hour ago, Thingamabob said:

He needs an upgraded speech writer. 

 

That could be one solution. The other solution is that he could just shut his mouth, and start dealing with the shambles that is the UK.

 

You know, that Country that he is puppet PM for.

You blokes are being right royally screwed when it comes to free speech

6 hours ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

Sadly misguided as ever. The UK's plan explicitly excludes Hamas from any role in Gaza's future governance or the broader Palestinian state framework..

 

   So if and when the P.A go to war with Hamas for leadership of Palestine . the YK Government will be supporting the P.A in their fight against Hamas .

  If Israel sides with the P.A then the UK Gov will find itself standing with Israel in their fight against Hamas 

6 hours ago, James105 said:

 

 So in September (unless he does yet another u turn which of course he will as he is a weak visionless moron and that is what those types do) then Hamas will be governing the terrorist state of Palestine with their stated intention of killing every single Jew in Israel.  

I don't know how it would work because I don't see how a state can have 2 governments (Hamas and PA) that do not get on

What's the hesitation here?

There is no longer any enlightened sympathy for Israel.

The "war" on Gaza and the Palestinians has become cartoonishly evil.

Only shills would defend the indefensible.

"Promise was that I,

From Philistian yoke deliver;

Ask for this great Deliverer now,

And find him,

Eyeless in Gaza at the mill with slaves."

2 hours ago, DaddyWarbucks said:

What's the hesitation here?

Palestinians are not capable of self-governing. 

And why they can't recognize the Palestinian state without conditions? It are the Israeli that are bombing, isn't it>

I seriously doubt it.  Come September the narrative will change 180 degrees.

Has the Palestinian government recognised the state of Israel yet? 

7 hours ago, wombat said:

You blokes are being right royally screwed when it comes to free speech

Not too bright are you Wombat. Thats a parody account stating that it is  Englands smallest farce committed to catching crinimals and a swan.

What's left of the indigenous population may well take a different view, and Donald may suggest a new mayor for London and Dover 🤔

That's <deleted> stupid. Where do yo get you politicians in UK from.

You either recognize, or not. Not because for some preconditions.

 

What would UK recognition of Palestine as a state actually mean?

 

Dr Julie Norman, an associate professor at UCL specialising in Middle Eastern politics, said, “In the short term, it’s a diplomatic stance, and it makes room for policy changes.

 

“And, if and when parties come back to discuss the long-term conflict, it would put Palestine in a better position. So it wouldn’t change things immediately, but I would say it still has value.”

 

She added that the move might initially see more change in London than in Ramallah, a city in the central West Bank, which serves as the administrative capital of Palestine – with, for example, the opening of an embassy in the UK capital. This would not mean recognition of Hamas.

 

A seven-page document – the New York declaration – merges previous Arab and European post war plans for Gaza. It proposes: “Following the ceasefire, a transitional administrative committee must be immediately established to operate in Gaza under the umbrella of the Palestinian Authority.''

 

The declaration supports the deployment of a temporary international stabilisation mission, mandated by the UN security council, and welcomes “the readiness expressed by some member states to contribute troops”.

 

It emphasised Gaza was an integral part of the Palestinian State and must be unified with the West Bank. Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority with international engagement. It also holds out the aspiration that the ending of the Israel-Palestinian conflict will lead to a wider regional settlement, even if the Gulf states currently balk at offering normalisation with Israel.

 

Advocates of a two-state solution realise time to act is now