London (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – UK’s Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said the imminent recognition of a Palestinian state will not result in its existence “overnight,” arguing that any recognition must be based on a wider peace process.
“Any step to recognise it is because we wish to keep alive the prospects of a two-state solution,”
David Lammy tells Sky News, verifying agendas for UK PM Keir Starmer to reveal a decision on recognising a Palestinian state later today.
World leaders will take part in high-level meetings at the UN summit starting on 23 September. Starmer is in conflict with Donald Trump’s administration over the stance on the matter and its fierce refusal to give official recognition to the state.
Why is Keir Starmer preparing to recognise Palestine now?
It is expected that Britain will recognise a Palestinian state on Sunday, following Israel’s failure to fulfil conditions outlined by Keir Starmer in July. The Prime Minister will make the declaration once his assessment is that the humanitarian situation has worsened significantly in the last few weeks.
Starmer mentioned in July that he would recognise Palestine prior to the meeting of leaders of world at the UN General Assembly if things did not improve.
He had urged Benjamin Netanyahu‘s administration to take action to break the “appalling situation in Gaza,” offer a ceasefire, agree on a long-term sustainable peace, allow the UN to restore aid to Gaza, and not annex the West Bank.
The Israeli foreign ministry vehemently rejected his statement, and Mr Netanyahu accused him of
“Starmer rewarding Hamas’s monstrous terrorism while punishing its victims.”
Why does the UK link recognition to a humanitarian crisis?
In parallel with the continuing military offensive and humanitarian emergency in Gaza, the UK government is concerned with plans to increase Israeli settlements in the West Bank that ministers fear will destroy any possibility of a two-state solution.
As reported, the Labour Party has tried to highlight that recognition of a Palestinian state is not compensation for Hamas, and they made a point to say that it would not take part in what happens in governing Gaza in the future. It is expected that they will intensify their sanctions on Hamas soon, and it has increased demands for the release of hostages.
