UK commits to recognizing a Palestinian state but has set a condition

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer informed Cabinet members on Tuesday that the United Kingdom will recognize a Palestinian state in September before the convening of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) – but set a condition for this.

According to Starmer, if the Israeli government takes significant steps that lead to an end to the situation in Gaza, the move will not be carried out. Starmer added that there is no place for comparison between Israel and Hamas, and the UK's demands of Hamas remain unchanged.

ראש ממשלת בריטניה, קיר סטארמר, בפנייה לחמאס: עליהם לשחרר את כל החטופים, לחתום על הסכם הפסקת אש, להתפרק מנשקם ולהסכים שלא ייקחו חלק בממשל עתידי פלסטיני בעזה@itamargalit https://t.co/BQpEsLsLGL pic.twitter.com/WM4v2CZht5

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) July 29, 2025

Starmer committed to conducting an assessment, before the UNGA convenes, to examine how far the different parties have gone before a final decision is made. During the night, a British Telegraph report had already stated that the prime minister is expected to present a plan for recognizing a Palestinian state.

The Foreign Ministry responded, "Israel rejects the statement by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The shift in the British government’s position at this time, following the French move and internal political pressures, constitutes a reward for Hamas and harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of hostages."

The British declaration follows the earlier French statement on the matter. The background to the statement includes the UK's public shock at images of children in Gaza, pressure on Starmer from members of his party, the desire not to appear to be lagging behind [President] Macron, and the fact that the Labour Party has committed to recognizing "Palestine" in its platform.

In recent days, Starmer has repeatedly commented on the issue of a Palestinian state. "The appalling scenes in Gaza are unrelenting. The continued captivity of hostages, the starvation and denial of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, the increasing violence from extremist settler groups, and Israel’s disproportionate military escalation in Gaza are all indefensible," he declared, in an attempt to balance between the sides.

However, until now, he had insisted that recognition of a Palestinian state would only come as part of a broader plan that would eventually lead to a two-state solution. "This is the way to ensure it is a tool of maximum utility to improve the lives of those who are suffering – which of course, will always be our ultimate goal," he said – a reward to the Palestinians to make them more flexible in negotiations.

Meanwhile, there is a growing petition of British Parliament members who support recognizing a Palestinian state – at least 255 out of 650 Members of Parliament, many of them part of the Labour Party.

Written by KAN 11 correspondents Itamar Margalit and Dov Gil-Har.