The United Kingdom will recognise the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September, unless the Israeli government takes action to address the “appalling situation” in Gaza, Prime Minister Keir Starmer informed his cabinet on Tuesday.
Starmer said the UK would recognise Palestinian statehood in September “unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, reaches a ceasefire, makes clear there will be no annexation in the West Bank and commits to a long-term peace process that delivers a two-state solution.”
The UK’s demands extend to the Palestinian movement Hamas, which must release all hostages, agree to a ceasefire, accept that it will not have a role in governing Gaza, and disarm.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney reacted positively to the announcement from London, but insisted that recognition of the Palestinian state should be irreversible, not conditional, and should be backed by sanctions against Israel if violence continued.
A two-state solution is the only way for the Palestinian and Israeli people to have a future of living in peace and security side by side, Swinney said, adding that the Palestinian people deserved no less.
