UK to recognise Palestinian state unless Israel agrees to Gaza ceasefire, halts annexation

Starmer said the UK would recognise a Palestinian state as a contribution to a proper peace process, and that the decision was driven by the “intolerable situation” in Gaza and the concern that the “very possibility” of a two-state solution is “reducing”.

The context: This is the first time a UK government has set a public timeline and conditions for recognition. Britain has historically supported a two-state solution, but not recognition without negotiations.

Since becoming prime minister, Starmer’s government has dropped the previous government’s challenge over International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, suspended some arms sales to Israel and sanctioned two far-right Israeli cabinet ministers, accusing them of repeatedly inciting violence against Palestinians.

More than 140 countries already recognise a Palestinian state, including several in Europe, and France this week announced it will do so at the UN General Assembly in September, following similar moves by Spain, Ireland and Norway.

In Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this week said recognition of a Palestinian state was not imminent, stressing it would only happen “as a way forward if the circumstances are met” and not as a symbolic gesture.

Meanwhile, Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene became the first in her party to call the situation in Gaza a “genocide”, after Donald Trump earlier this week acknowledged there is “real starvation” in Gaza contradicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that there is “no starvation”.

What they said: Israel rejected the statement, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying it “constitutes a reward for Hamas and harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of hostages”.

In an address following a cabinet meeting to discuss the situation in Gaza, Starmer said: “Our goal remains a safe and secure Israel, alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state. But right now, that goal is under pressure like never before," he said.

"Today, as part of this process towards peace, I can confirm the UK will recognise the state of Palestine by the United Nations General Assembly in September, unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire and commit to a long-term, sustainable peace, reviving the prospect of a two-state solution. And this includes allowing the UN to restart the supply of aid, and making clear there will be no annexations in the West Bank,” Starmer said.

“Meanwhile, our message to the terrorists of Hamas is unchanged and unequivocal. They must immediately release all the hostages, sign up to a ceasefire, disarm and accept that they will play no part in the government of Gaza,” he added.

Speaking to reporters on Air Force One on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST) Trump said: “Those are kids that are starving. That’s, they are starving. You see their mothers, they love them so much and there’s just nothing they seem to be able to do. They’ve got to get them food, and we’re going to get them food.“

In a social media post, Greene said: “It’s the most truthful and easiest thing to say that Oct. 7 in Israel was horrific and all hostages must be returned, but so is the genocide, humanitarian crisis, and starvation happening in Gaza.”