The United Kingdom is threatening to recognize the Palestinian state in September unless Israel meets a number of conditions. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer wants, among other things, an end to the “terrible situation” in Gaza.
Starmer announced the decision in a statement to his cabinet. With the announcement, he is significantly increasing the pressure on Israel. To prevent recognition of the Palestinian state, Israel must “take substantial steps to end the terrible situation in Gaza,” says Starmer.
The UK also wants a ceasefire, an end to annexations in the West Bank, and a peace process that leads to a two-state solution in the long term. In such a solution, Israel and Palestine would exist as two independent states alongside each other.
At the end of September, the member states of the United Nations will meet during the General Assembly in New York. There, countries can announce that they recognize the State of Palestine. Last week, France already announced that it intends to do so.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy called the situation in Gaza “heartbreaking” on Tuesday at a UN conference. According to him, the world is shocked by the way Israel is feeding the population of Gaza “drop by drop” and because “children are dying of hunger”.
Lammy also expressed strong criticism of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government because it explicitly rejects a two-state solution. According to Lammy, that is “morally and strategically wrong.” He said that the UK has “a special historical responsibility” towards the two-state solution; between 1920 and 1948, Palestine was a British mandate.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejects the possible measure by the UK and calls it a “reward” for Hamas. British recognition would also hinder talks about a ceasefire.
Netanyahu has already been informed in advance of the British plans to recognize the Palestinian state, sources tell news agency Reuters. According to them, Starmer called Netanyahu on Tuesday to tell him.