UK Recognises Palestinian State in Landmark Policy Shift

 

UK Recognises Palestinian State in Landmark Policy Shift

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has formally announced that the United Kingdom now recognises the State of Palestine, marking a major transformation in British foreign policy.

In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter), Sir Keir stated:

“Amid escalating horrors in the Middle East, this decision keeps the hope of peace and a two-state solution alive.”

The UK’s recognition was part of a wider move, coordinated with Australia and Canada, both of whom made similar announcements. Portugal and France are reportedly expected to follow suit in the coming days.

 

A Divisive Decision

The move has drawn strong backlash from Israel’s government, families of Israeli hostages, and several UK Conservative leaders. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the recognition a “gift to terrorism” and insisted,

“A Palestinian state will not happen.”

Israeli and US officials argue that acknowledging Palestinian statehood rewards Hamas, following its deadly 7 October 2023 attack that left 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage.

Sir Keir rejected that claim, stressing that this recognition was not “a reward for Hamas,” and made clear the group has “no future role” in any legitimate Palestinian governance or security arrangement.

 

A Better Future Is Still Possible”

The UK government described the recognition as a pledge to both Palestinians and Israelis—a statement of belief that peace is still possible through a two-state solution.

Starmer added:

“The devastation and starvation in Gaza are intolerable. The death and destruction horrify all of us.”

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the UK’s decision, calling it a vital step toward achieving peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine.

In a letter to Abbas, Starmer confirmed that the UK recognises a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders with land swaps, which would be finalised through future negotiations.

 

What Does Recognition Mean?

While over 140 countries already recognise Palestine, this step by the UK carries political weight due to its historical role in the region and its close ties to Israel.

The UK’s recognition includes:

• Recognition of Palestinian statehood based on pre-1967 borders

• A reaffirmed commitment to a two-state solution with East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital

• Continued opposition to Hamas having any political or security role

 

Currently, the Palestinian Authority (PA) governs parts of the West Bank but lacks full control. Hamas, designated as a terrorist organisation by the UK, governs Gaza.

 

International Context and Ongoing Crisis

On the same day, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also announced recognition, framing the move as part of a coordinated effort to revive the peace process.

The UK had previously signalled that it would wait until the upcoming UN General Assembly to make its decision, unless Israel took meaningful steps toward ending the war in Gaza. With no ceasefire, worsening humanitarian conditions, and continued military actions by Israel, that deadline was brought forward.

This weekend, the Gaza Health Ministry reported 71 Palestinians killed and over 300 injured in Israeli airstrikes. The UN has called Israel’s ground operations in Gaza City “cataclysmic,” displacing hundreds of thousands.

A UN commission of inquiry recently accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza—an allegation Israel has fiercely denied.

 

UK’s Recognition Draws Mixed Reactions

Domestically, the move sparked contrasting responses:

 

• Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy defended the decision, saying it was “time to stand up for a two-state solution,” though he acknowledged it wouldn’t directly “feed children or free hostages.”

• Palestinian Ambassador to the UK Husam Zomlot hailed the move as “historic,” calling it an act of correcting a long-standing injustice.

• Conservative leaders, including Kemi Badenoch, condemned the move as “absolutely disastrous,” accusing the government of emboldening Hamas. Priti Patel claimed the PM was “appeasing hard-left elements” within his party.

• Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey praised the announcement as “long overdue.”

 

Next Steps and Implications

Hamas welcomed the recognition as an “important step” but urged that it must be followed by concrete actions, including an immediate end to the war and full international support for Palestinian self-determination.

Sir Keir reiterated that Hamas is banned in the UK, and that he has ordered sanctions against additional Hamas figuresin the coming weeks.

While recognition alone won’t stop the war, feed the starving, or free the hostages, many see it as a moral and political shift—one that might eventually reignite hope in a peace process that has long been frozen.

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