LONDON – July 30, 2025:
In a significant shift in British foreign policy, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that the United Kingdom will officially recognise the State of Palestine in September — unless Israel takes concrete actions to de-escalate the crisis in Gaza.
Speaking after an emergency cabinet meeting held during the parliamentary recess, Starmer said the recognition would be part of a broader effort to push forward a durable peace process in the Middle East.
“If Israel does not take meaningful steps to end the catastrophic situation in Gaza and commit to a genuine peace effort, we will proceed with recognising the State of Palestine,” the Prime Minister stated in a televised address from Downing Street.
According to a statement from his office, the UK is calling on Israel to agree to a ceasefire, end its military operations in Gaza, provide assurances against annexation in the West Bank, and commit to a viable two-state solution through long-term negotiations.
“I have always maintained that recognising Palestine should serve as a meaningful contribution toward peace — at the moment when it can have the most impact. That moment is now,” Starmer said firmly.
This bold stance from the UK follows a similar declaration by French President Emmanuel Macron, who said last week that France intends to formally recognise Palestinian statehood during the United Nations General Assembly session in September.
If both moves go ahead as planned, the UK and France would become the first G7 nations to officially recognise Palestine, marking a significant diplomatic development. Macron’s announcement has already drawn sharp criticism from both Israel and the United States, with Tel Aviv calling it a betrayal and Washington expressing concern over the timing.
Analysts see the UK’s announcement as a potential turning point in international efforts to bring an end to the Gaza conflict and revive stalled peace talks. However, much now depends on whether Israel chooses to respond with the “substantive steps” London is demanding.
