The UK will recognise Palestine as a state by September unless Israel takes immediate action to end the conflict in Gaza and commits to a two-state solution, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced today.
Speaking in Downing Street following an emergency cabinet meeting, the prime minister said the “increasingly intolerable situation in Gaza” and diminishing prospects for peace had prompted the government to set a clear deadline for recognition.
The announcement marks a significant shift in UK foreign policy and puts pressure on Israel to agree to specific conditions, including a ceasefire, increased humanitarian aid access, and commitments against West Bank annexation.
Key Conditions Set by UK Government
According to a Downing Street spokesperson, the UK will proceed with recognising Palestinian statehood before the UN General Assembly in September unless the Israeli government meets four key demands.
These conditions include taking “substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza“, reaching a ceasefire agreement, making clear there will be no annexation in the West Bank, and committing to a long-term peace process that delivers a two-state solution.
The prime minister emphasised that whilst air drops of humanitarian aid had begun today, this was insufficient to address the crisis. He called for at least 500 trucks of aid per day to be allowed into Gaza territory.
“[The PM] said that because of the increasingly intolerable situation in Gaza and the diminishing prospect of a peace process towards a two-state solution, now was the right time to move this position forward,” the Downing Street spokesperson said.
International Momentum Building
The UK’s September deadline aligns with plans already announced by French President Emmanuel Macron, who has previously committed to French recognition of Palestine at the UN General Assembly.
This coordinated approach by major European powers signals growing international pressure on Israel to change course in Gaza and commit to meaningful peace negotiations.
The timing of the announcement is particularly significant, coming as humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate and diplomatic efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire have repeatedly stalled.
Strategic Timing for Maximum Impact
Starmer argued that recognising Palestine now would have the highest impact, as hopes of securing a two-state solution are increasingly at risk. The prime minister’s decision to set a clear deadline represents a departure from the UK’s previous position of recognising Palestine only as part of a negotiated settlement.
The emergency cabinet meeting held this afternoon focused extensively on the Gaza situation, with ministers discussing both immediate humanitarian concerns and longer-term diplomatic strategies.
By linking recognition to specific, measurable conditions, the UK government appears to be using diplomatic leverage to push for concrete changes on the ground whilst maintaining pressure for a comprehensive peace process.
Humanitarian Crisis Drives Urgency
The prime minister’s emphasis on the “appalling situation in Gaza” underscores the humanitarian considerations driving this policy shift. The demand for 500 aid trucks daily represents a significant increase from current levels and reflects the scale of the crisis.
Air drops, whilst providing some relief, have been criticised by humanitarian organisations as insufficient to meet the needs of Gaza’s population. The UK’s insistence on substantial ground access for aid convoys addresses these concerns directly.
What Happens Next
The September deadline gives Israel approximately seven months to meet the UK’s conditions. This timeframe coincides with the build-up to the UN General Assembly, where Palestine’s status is likely to be a major topic of discussion.
The UK government will likely face pressure to clarify how it will assess whether Israel has met the specified conditions, particularly regarding what constitutes “substantive steps” to end the conflict.
International reaction to the announcement is expected in the coming days, with particular attention on responses from the United States, other European nations, and Middle Eastern governments.
The move also raises questions about how UK-Israel relations might be affected and whether other nations will follow suit with similar ultimatums tied to Palestinian recognition.
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Image Credit:
Keir Starmer – Official portrait, © UK Parliament, licensed under CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
