London: Sir Keir Starmer is expected to announce the United Kingdom's recognition of a Palestinian state in a significant statement planned for Sunday afternoon. The decision comes amidst escalating tensions and an urgent call for a long-term peace process in the region.
According to BBC, the UK Prime Minister had previously stated in July that the country's stance would shift unless Israel met specific conditions, including agreeing to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and committing to a peace process that would allow for a Palestinian state alongside Israel. However, Israeli leadership has dismissed these conditions since the outbreak of war following Hamas's attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages.
Efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza have been unsuccessful, with recent developments exacerbating the situation. Israel's air strike on a Hamas negotiating team in Qatar drew international condemnation. Government sources highlight the deteriorating conditions in Gaza, referencing images of starvation and violence which have been described as intolerable by Sir Keir.
Israel's latest ground offensive in Gaza City, labeled as cataclysmic by a UN official, has displaced hundreds of thousands and led to significant casualties, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting 65,208 deaths. A recent UN commission of inquiry accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, an allegation Israel has denied.
The UK government's decision to recognize Palestinian statehood also considers the ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, deemed illegal under international law. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy emphasized the importance of a two-state solution, highlighting the controversial E1 settlement project and the recent Israeli strike in Qatar as critical factors.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas expressed approval of the UK's recognition pledge during a visit with Sir Keir, with both leaders agreeing that Hamas should not have a role in Palestine's future governance. Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian Authority's UK representative, stated that recognition is an "inalienable right," correcting historical wrongs.
While some UK political figures, such as Conservative shadow chancellor Mel Stride, criticized the timing of the recognition, suggesting it was influenced by internal political pressures, others, like Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, praised the decision as long overdue. However, families of hostages taken by Hamas have urged the Prime Minister to delay recognition until hostages are released, fearing the announcement complicates negotiation efforts.
Sir Keir set a deadline aligned with this week's UN General Assembly meeting for Israel to take substantive steps toward peace. Several countries, including Portugal, France, Canada, and Australia, have expressed intentions to recognize a Palestinian state, with others like Spain, Ireland, and Norway having done so last year.
Recognition of Palestine remains largely symbolic, lacking internationally agreed boundaries, a capital, or an army. While the UK government insists that statehood is a right independent of Hamas's actions, critics argue that conditions should apply to both Israel and Hamas, urging the release of hostages and a ceasefire.
The announcement is expected to draw significant international attention and could influence the broader diplomatic landscape in the Middle East. As the situation evolves, the UK government is preparing to outline measures for sanctioning Hamas while maintaining its stance on Israel's obligations toward peace.