By UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced that Britain will officially recognise the state of Palestine, marking a major shift in UK foreign policy
In a video message posted on X, Starmer said that amid the worsening crisis in the Middle East, the UK was acting to preserve the possibility of peace and a two-state solution. Australia, Canada, and Portugal also confirmed recognition, while France is expected to follow soon
The move has sparked sharp criticism from Israel, families of hostages held in Gaza, and several Conservative politicians. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the decision, declaring that a Palestinian state “will not happen,” and accusing the UK and its allies of “rewarding terrorism.” Both Israel and the US argue recognition offers Hamas legitimacy after its October 2023 attacks, in which 1,200 Israelis were killed and over 250 taken hostage
Starmer rejected this, stressing that the decision “is not a reward for Hamas” but a step toward peace. He said Hamas has “no future, no role in government, and no role in security,” and described the recognition as a promise to both Palestinians and Israelis that a peaceful future is possible. He also condemned the “starvation and devastation” in Gaza as intolerable
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the move, calling it a step toward Palestinians and Israelis living side by side in peace. The UK Foreign Office clarified that recognition is based on 1967 borders with agreed land swaps, to be finalised through negotiations
While around three-quarters of UN member states already recognise Palestine, it has no agreed borders, capital, or army—making such recognition largely symbolic
Canada, Australia, and Portugal framed their decisions as efforts to revive momentum for a two-state solution, with Portugal’s foreign minister calling it the “only path to a just and lasting peace.” Starmer had previously set the UN General Assembly as a deadline for recognition unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire and meaningful steps toward peace
The announcement comes as the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsens. The Hamas-run health ministry reported 71 deaths and more than 300 injuries from Israeli strikes in the past day. Israel’s latest ground offensive has displaced hundreds of thousands, with more than 65,000 Palestinians killed during the nearly two-year conflict, according to Gaza’s health ministry. A recent UN inquiry accused Israel of committing genocide—an allegation Israel strongly rejected
UK ministers also cited Israel’s expanding West Bank settlements, deemed illegal under international law, as another factor behind the recognition decision. Some Israeli officials responded by doubling down on settlement expansion and even calling for annexation of the West Bank
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy admitted recognition won’t directly change conditions on the ground but argued it was time to defend the two-state solution. Palestinian representative Husam Zomlot called the decision a correction of history and said it ended the denial of our existence
Reactions in the UK were divided. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the move “disastrous,” accusing Starmer of rewarding terrorism, while Priti Patel said he had caved to Labour’s left wing. By contrast, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said the step was long overdue
Hostage families expressed anger, saying recognition empowers Hamas while captives remain in Gaza. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum UK described the decision as a betrayal. Hamas, meanwhile, praised recognition as a positive step but demanded concrete measures to end the war
Starmer reiterated that Hamas is banned in the UK and would play no role in a future Palestinian state. He confirmed further sanctions against Hamas leaders are planned in the coming weeks
