The United Kingdom will recognize Palestinian statehood in September unless Israel takes significant steps to end the “appalling situation” in Gaza and meets other conditions, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Tuesday, July 29.
“Our goal remains a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state,” Starmer said, according to a Downing Street statement.
He said that the UK government has always intended to recognize a Palestinian state “as a contribution to a proper peace process at the moment of maximum impact for the two-state solution,” which he said is “now under threat.”
“As part of this process towards peace, I can confirm that the UK will recognize 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,” Starmer said.
The UK leader also called on Israel to “agree to a ceasefire and commit to a long-term, sustainable peace, reviving the prospect of a two-state solution.”
This includes, Starmer continued, “allowing the UN to restart the supply of aid, and making clear there will be no annexations in the West Bank.”
He also reiterated his government’s stance on Hamas, the Iran-backed Palestinian militant group that governs the Gaza Strip.
“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,” Starmer said.