UK expected to recognize 'Palestinian state' after Trump’s visit to London

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will reportedly formally announce his decision to recognize a Palestinian state this upcoming weekend according to the UK Times. A local news outlet also reported that Starmer decided to make his announcement after the state visit of U.S. President Donald Trump concludes so the issue "does not take over their news conference.”

The U.S. opposes unilateral recognition of Palestine and views it as a reward for Hamas terrorism and the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre of 1,200 Israelis and kidnapping of 251 people from southern Israel. 

An unnamed British source predicted that if London goes ahead and recognizes a Palestinian state, such move could encourage other countries to follow suit. 

The French President Emmanuel Macron announced in July that France intends to unilaterally recognize the State of Palestine at the UN summit in September. The UK quickly followed suit. The British prime minister initially tied the diplomatic recognition to a wider regional peace arrangement in the Middle East. 

"Recognition of a Palestinian state has to be one of those steps. I am unequivocal about that. But it must be part of a wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution and lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis," Starmer stated in July. 

However, Starmer quickly dropped this demand and warned “unless the government of Israel takes concrete steps to end the horrific situation in Gaza.” The prime minister's office announced at the time that “Starmer committed to carry out an assessment ahead of Sept. 9, before the UN General Assembly, of the extent to which Israel has taken the necessary steps, before making a final decision.”

Starmer claimed at the time that he seeks to “protect the viability of the two-state solution.”

Ignoring that Hamas started the war and has systematically undermined international ceasefire proposals, the Starmer government largely blames the Jewish state for the ongoing war in Gaza. Hamas and its allies still hold 48 Israeli hostages. Up to 20 of them are still believed to be alive but are increasingly at risk. 

In addition to the UK and France, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Belgium and Luxembourg reportedly intend to recognize a Palestinian state.

Last week the United Nations Assembly overwhelmingly approved a resolution that supports the “irreversible” path toward a Palestinian state. The “New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine” was supported by 142 countries including most Arab, Muslim and Western nations. Twelve countries abstained while 10 countries including Israel, the United States, Hungary and Argentina voted against the resolution. 

However, there are dissenting countries that prefer to keep a low profile. 

The Japanese government will reportedly not recognize Palestine due to Tokyo’s close political and commercial ties with the United States. However, Japan, which is dependent on oil imports from the Middle East needs to thread carefully in the diplomatic arena. 

Japanese spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi therefore announced that Japan does support the principle of the two-state solution. 

"Japan has consistently supported a two-state solution, understanding the Palestinian desire to establish an independent state, and supported their efforts toward that end," Hayashi said.

Italy and Denmark are two other democracies that have so far signaled that the recognition of Palestine is premature and does not advance peace in the Middle East.