UK to Formally Recognise Palestinian State in Landmark Foreign Policy Shift

Government sources say graphic images of starvation and displacement in Gaza played a decisive role.

LONDON – : In a historic move set to redefine British foreign policy, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to officially recognise the State of Palestine on Sunday, breaking from decades of diplomatic tradition and signalling a bold push for a two-state solution amid the ongoing Gaza crisis.

The decision, which comes amid intensifying humanitarian concerns in the region, marks one of the most significant foreign policy shifts by a British government in recent history. It follows Starmer’s warning in July that recognition would come by September if Israel failed to agree to a ceasefire and a long-term peace plan in Gaza.

End of Long-Held UK Position

Historically, successive UK governments had maintained that Palestinian statehood should only be recognised as part of a negotiated peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. However, Starmer’s government now argues that there is a moral obligation to act, citing the collapse of peace talks and worsening violence in Gaza.

Government sources say graphic images of starvation and displacement in Gaza played a decisive role. The latest Israeli military assault on Gaza City, described by UN officials as “cataclysmic,” has reportedly forced hundreds of thousands to flee, pushing the UK to act independently of the stalled peace process.

Justice Secretary David Lammy, who served as foreign secretary when the policy was outlined, pointed to Israel’s rapid settlement expansion — especially in the contentious E1 corridor — as a key threat to any viable Palestinian state. The UK also noted this week’s UN Commission of Inquiry report accusing Israel of genocide, a charge Israel has strongly rejected.

The announcement has triggered condemnation from Israel and several Western political figures. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu warned the move “rewards terror,” while families of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas said it jeopardizes ongoing rescue efforts.

UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch criticised the timing, calling it a “reward for terrorism” in an op-ed published in The Telegraph. UK Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis urged the government to reconsider, stressing that recognition should not come without clear commitments to democracy and peace from Palestinian leadership.

Even US President Donald Trump, currently on a state visit to London, voiced opposition, aligning with Israel in calling the decision premature. However, sources within the UK government say new sanctions against Hamas will be announced shortly to reassure allies that recognition does not imply support for militant groups.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the UK’s pledge, reaffirming during a visit to London earlier this month that Hamas would play no role in future Palestinian governance.

The UK joins a growing list of countries — including Portugal, France, Canada, and Australia — that are moving toward recognising Palestinian statehood. Last year, Spain, Ireland, and Norway made similar declarations. Palestine is currently recognised by about 75% of UN member states, though it lacks defined borders or full statehood.

The decision also reflects mounting domestic pressure. In July, more than half of Labour MPs signed a letter urging immediate recognition, and the party’s left flank has long supported Palestinian statehood. Starmer’s move is seen as a balancing act between moral obligation, political reality, and international diplomacy.

In a joint appearance with President Trump at Chequers, Starmer reiterated:

“Recognition of Palestine is not about legitimising terrorism — it’s about securing lasting peace. Hamas has no place in that future.”

The UK’s recognition of Palestine is expected to carry significant symbolic and diplomatic weight, despite the absence of a defined capital or army for the proposed Palestinian state. As regional violence continues and peace prospects dim, London is now positioned at the forefront of a growing international bloc reviving the two-state vision, regardless of resistance from Israel and its closest allies.

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