UK to Recognize Palestine After Trump Visit

LONDON: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing to formally recognize Palestine, with the announcement expected over the weekend once Donald Trump completes his state visit to the UK.

Starmer has previously said Britain would back Palestine as a state ahead of the UN General Assembly in New York later this month if Israel failed to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza. High-level meetings of world leaders are scheduled to begin at the summit on 23 September.

According to reports, the UK prime minister delayed the recognition announcement until after Trump’s departure, concerned that it might overshadow their joint press conference scheduled for Thursday at Chequers.

Recognition Despite US Opposition

The move puts Starmer at odds with Washington, which opposes recognising Palestine at this stage. However, countries such as France, Australia, and Canada are expected to make similar declarations during the UN gathering.

Read more: Rubio in Qatar after stressing urgency for Gaza agreement

In July, under pressure from Labour MPs alarmed by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Starmer pledged to recognize Palestine. At the time, he set conditions for Israel: agreeing to a ceasefire, committing to a lasting two-state solution, and allowing the UN to resume aid deliveries.

These conditions are unlikely to be met, as Israel continues its large-scale military offensive in Gaza, forcing thousands of Palestinians to flee. Currently, 147 of the UN’s 193 member states already recognize Palestine as a sovereign state.

Sadiq Khan Calls Gaza Crisis a “Genocide”

Meanwhile, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has described the situation in Gaza as “genocide” for the first time. Speaking at a public forum on Wednesday, he said:

When I see children starving – 20,000 already dead because of the Israeli government’s policies – when I see Gaza’s health system collapsed, famine spreading, and aid blocked, alongside reports from the ICJ and the UN commission this week, I think it’s inescapable: what we are witnessing in Gaza is genocide.

His comments came a day after a UN commission of inquiry reported it had “reasonable grounds” to conclude Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.