UK Plans to Recognize Palestine by September Unless Israel Meets Conditions

Britain will recognise the state of Palestine in September unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the \"appalling situation\" in Gaza and meets other conditions, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said.

\"I can confirm the UK will recognise the state of Palestine by the United Nations General Assembly in September, unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire, and commit to a long-term sustainable peace, reviving the prospect of a two-state solution.

\"And this includes allowing the UN to restart the supply of aid and making clear that there will be no annexations in the West Bank,\" Mr Starmer said.

The UK will make an assessment ahead of the UN General Assembly in September as to whether Israel has met these steps.

Mr Starmer took the decision after recalling his cabinet during the summer holidays to discuss a new proposed peace plan being worked on with other European leaders and how to deliver more humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Successive British governments have said they will formally recognise a Palestinian state when the time is right, without ever setting a timetable or specifying the necessary conditions.

With warnings people in Gaza are facing starvation, a growing numbers of MPs in Mr Starmer's Labour Party have asking him to recognise a Palestinian state to put pressure on Israel.

Asked why the recognition was conditional and how confident he was that a ceasefire could be reached by September, Mr Starmer said the primary aim is to \"change the situation on the ground for people who desperately need change\".

\"We need a ceasefire. We need always to keep in our mind the hostages and the atrocity of October 7th, and they must be immediately released. They've been held a very, very long time.

\"But also we need alongside that to ensure that we get aid in at volume and in speed into Gaza because the situation is simply intolerable.

\"And this is intended to further that course, and it is done now because I am particularly concerned that the very idea of a two-state solution is reducing and feels further away today than it has for many, many years, and therefore, it should be seen in both of those contexts.\"

Israel said it rejected the decision by the UK prime minister.

A statement on social media site X, from the Israeli government, said: \"The shift in the British Government’s position at this time, following the French move and internal political pressures, constitutes a reward for Hamas and harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of hostages.\"

US President Donald Trump said he and Mr Starmer did not discuss Britain's plan to recognise a Palestinian state.

\"We never did discuss it,\" Mr Trump told reporters on board Air Force One.

Mr Starmer said he needs to see \"at least 500 trucks entering Gaza every day\" to deliver aid.

Speaking from Downing Street, the Prime Minister said: \"We need to see at least 500 trucks entering Gaza every day, but ultimately, the only way to bring this humanitarian crisis to an end is through a long-term settlement.

\"So we are supporting the US, Egyptian and Qatari efforts to secure a vital ceasefire.

\"That ceasefire must be sustainable and it must lead to a wider peace plan, which we are developing with our international partners.

\"This plan will deliver security and proper governance in Gaza and pave the way for negotiations on a two-state solution.

\"Our goal remains a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.\"

The UK will take part in air drops of humanitarian aid supplies into Gaza alongside Jordan, the government statement said, while it will continue efforts to get injured children out of Gaza and into British hospitals.

\"We also believe that a ceasefire will not last without urgent work on governance and security in Gaza, and the prospect of a long-term political settlement.

\"We are therefore preparing a plan with our key allies for longer-term political negotiations and a two-state solution,\" the UK government statement concluded.

Tánaiste Simon Harris said the move by Mr Starmer was a \"welcome and important development\".

\"The urgency for a ceasefire has never been greater.

\"We need aid to flow, release of hostages and a viable two-state solution.

\"Ireland recognises the State of Palestine. I welcome the intention of our nearest neighbour to do likewise,\" Mr Harris said in a post on X.

According to the source: RTE.ie.