UK to Recognise Palestinian State if Israel Fails to Act on Gaza
So here’s what’s just come out—UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced that Britain is prepared to formally recognise a Palestinian state by September, unless Israel takes some serious steps to change what’s happening in Gaza. This is a pretty big shift in UK foreign policy, and it’s set to happen during the United Nations General Assembly later this year.
Now, what exactly is being asked of Israel? According to Starmer, the Israeli government needs to agree to a ceasefire, let humanitarian aid flow back into Gaza under the supervision of the United Nations, and stop any plans to annex more of the West Bank. They also need to recommit to a long-term peace process that revives the possibility of a two-state solution. If Israel doesn’t follow through, the UK says it will go ahead with recognising Palestine as a sovereign state.
This move doesn’t come out of the blue. Starmer has been under increasing pressure, especially from his own Labour MPs—more than half of them have signed a letter urging the government to take this step immediately. And just last week, France became the first G7 country to commit to recognising a Palestinian state in September. That’s putting pressure on allies like the UK to follow suit.
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However, not everyone is on board. Israel has reacted strongly, calling the UK’s shift a "reward for Hamas" and arguing it will harm the chances of reaching a ceasefire or negotiating the release of hostages. The Conservative Party and Reform UK are also opposed, saying now is the wrong time—that it would send the wrong message after the October 2023 attacks by Hamas.
But Starmer says he’s doing this because the situation in Gaza is now “intolerable.” He warned that the very idea of a two-state solution—where Israel and Palestine exist side by side—is fading fast. The goal, he stressed, is to improve conditions on the ground and get desperately needed aid into Gaza.
On the flip side, Hamas is also being told to release all hostages, agree to a ceasefire, and disarm—essentially to step away from any governing role in Gaza if progress is to be made.
It’s worth noting that about 139 countries already recognise Palestine, including Spain, Ireland, and Norway, which did so last year. But big players like the US and Germany still hold the line that recognition should only come as part of a comprehensive peace agreement.
So as it stands, the UK is drawing a clear line: either Israel makes real, concrete changes by September—or recognition of a Palestinian state will go ahead without them.
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