United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday that the country plans to formally recognize the State of Palestine in September, contingent upon Israel agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza and taking steps to improve humanitarian conditions.
Commitment to a Palestinian State
“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, agree to a ceasefire, and commit to a long-term sustainable peace,” Starmer stated. He emphasized that this recognition would also involve allowing the UN to restart the supply of aid and preventing any annexations in the West Bank.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
My statement on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and our plan for peace including the recognition of a Palestinian State. pic.twitter.com/aMUCNwJb9z
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 29, 2025
Addressing the worsening humanitarian crisis, Starmer highlighted the dire situation: “Babies in Gaza are starving because of a catastrophic failure of aid. The suffering must end.” He also mentioned that UK aid was airdropped in Gaza on Tuesday and reaffirmed the UK’s support for U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari efforts to secure a vital ceasefire.
“Gaza is more than a humanitarian crisis. It is a moral crisis that challenges the global conscience.”
– @antonioguterres says the UN will continue to speak out at every opportunity about the tragedy unfolding in Gaza and the need to release all hostages, immediately. pic.twitter.com/qgFtOgW2FT
— United Nations (@UN) July 26, 2025
Discussions with Global Leaders
Starmer discussed the situation in Gaza with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday. However, President Trump later stated that the two leaders did not address the UK’s potential recognition of a Palestinian state.
Hamas and Calls for Action
The Prime Minister called on Hamas to take responsibility, saying, “They must immediately release all of the hostages, sign up to a ceasefire, disarm and accept that they will play no part in the government of Gaza.”
Israel’s Rejection of UK’s Proposal
In response to the UK government’s position, Israel has rejected the move to recognize a Palestinian state. Israel’s foreign ministry stated, “The shift in the British government’s position at this time…constitutes a reward for Hamas and harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.”
International Context
The UK’s announcement follows a similar commitment by French President Emmanuel Macron, who also plans to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September. He declared, “True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine.”
