Cabinet ministers and MPs urge Starmer to recognize state of Palestine

Keir Starmer is facing pressure from senior cabinet ministers and over a third of MPs to recognize a Palestinian state in light of Israel withholding aid to starving civilians in Gaza. Angela Rayner and Yvette Cooper are among ministers urging the UK to take a lead on Palestinian statehood alongside France.

The UK, France, and Germany have called for an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and demanded Israel to lift aid restrictions. Starmer expressed support for recognizing a Palestinian state but emphasized the need for a comprehensive plan leading to a two-state solution.

Pressure on Starmer increased after France announced plans to recognize Palestine at the UN general assembly. The UK government's policy is to acknowledge Palestine as part of a peace process in coordination with other western nations.

Several cabinet ministers, including Cooper, Rayner, Streeting, Mahmood, and Benn, have advocated for recognizing Palestine. MPs from various parties have also called for British recognition of Palestine at a UN conference.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has worsened, with reports of severe malnutrition among children and a hunger crisis reaching alarming levels. The international community has been criticized for inaction as Palestinians suffer in Gaza.

According to the source: theguardian.com.