The UK will recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel takes “substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza”, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
The PM said Israel must also meet other conditions, including agreeing to a ceasefire, committing to a long-term sustainable peace that delivers a two-state solution, and allowing the United Nations to restart the supply of aid, or the UK would take the step at September’s UN General Assembly.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the move “rewards Hamas’s monstrous terrorism”.
The UK government has previously said recognition should come at a point when it can have maximum impact, as part of a peace process.
However, the PM has been under growing pressure – including from his own MPs – to act more quickly.
Last week, France also announced it would officially recognise a Palestinian state in September – the first of the G7 group of the world’s richest countries to do so.
Giving a news conference after holding an emergency cabinet meeting, Sir Keir said he was announcing the plan now because of the “intolerable situation” in Gaza and concern that “the very possibility of a two-state solution is reducing”.
He told reporters that the UK’s goal of “a safe secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state” was “under pressure like never before”.
The PM added that his “primary aim” was to improve the situation on the ground in Gaza, including ensuring that aid gets in.
In outlining the steps UK wanted the Israeli government to take, Sir Keir also said it should make clear there will be no annexations in the West Bank.
The current Israeli government is opposed to progress towards a two-state solution so it is highly unlikely to agree to the conditions.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir said Hamas must immediately release all hostages, sign up to a ceasefire, disarm and accept that they will play no part in the government of Gaza.
In response to the announcement, Netanyahu wrote on social media: “A jihadist state on Israel’s border TODAY will threaten Britain TOMORROW.
“Appeasement towards jihadist terrorists always fails. It will fail you, too. It will not happen.”
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