UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Britain would recognize a Palestinian state unless Israel agrees to a cease-fire with Hamas. This represents a clear escalation of pressure against the Israelis as the international community attempts to stop a war that has put Gaza close to famine.
PM Starmer’s announcement came after an emergency meeting with his cabinet. This is also a stark shift in position, as his government has largely supported Israel in its war in Gaza.
Crucially, the Prime Minister said that recognition would not be immediate, but would come as a joint European effort to end the war between Israel and Hamas. Britain would then follow France, which announced it would recognize a Palestinian state last week, also to occur in September.
The UK’s decision to recognize Palestine as a state could further isolate Israel diplomatically
Israel’s diplomatic isolation has considerably deepened in recent weeks, as two major European actors, France and the UK, are now set to recognize a Palestinian State. Israel abandoned its ceasefire with Hamas in March and resumed its military operations in Gaza.
The decision also has deep symbolic meaning, as the UK has a rich diplomatic history in the Middle East. The UK was a crucial actor in the creation of the State of Israel, as in 1917 it declared its support for the creation of “a home for the Jewish people” in what was then Palestine. Israel was founded in 1948 after the end of the Second World War, when the British mandate of Palestine ended per UN resolution 181.
BREAKING: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced the UK will recognise Palestine as a state by the United Nations meeting in September, unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire.
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The United Kingdom would also become the second member of the Group of 7 (G7) to recognize a Palestinian State after France. Other members include the United States, Canada, Germany, Japan, and Italy. The United States condemned France’s decision to recognize a Palestinian State last week through a statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Starmer viewed recognizing a Palestinian State as performative
UK officials had previously stated that Prime Minister Starmer viewed recognizing a Palestinian State as a “performative” gesture that would not necessarily change the situation in Gaza.
The PM considered it could further complicate efforts to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which is regarded as a terrorist organization by the United States.
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
Reportedly, the starvation in Gaza has played a major role in Starmer changing his stance, especially after continued Israeli restrictions on food delivery. More than 250 British lawmakers signed a letter addressed to Prime Minister Starmer and the UK’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, urging Great Britain to recognize a Palestinian State at the UN conference later this week, which aims to work on a two-state solution.
