London, 30 July 2025 – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared that the UK will recognise the state of Palestine by September unless Israel takes "substantive steps" to end its ongoing war in Gaza and commits to a genuine peace process. The announcement, made following an emergency cabinet meeting on Tuesday, marks a significant shift in British foreign policy and comes amid growing concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Starmer’s statement, delivered in the context of a dire famine situation in Gaza, underscores the urgency of addressing the conflict, which has claimed over 60,000 Palestinian lives since Israel’s offensive began on 7 October 2023. The offensive followed Hamas-led attacks in Israel that killed at least 1,139 people. Starmer emphasized that recognising Palestinian statehood is a key part of Labour’s policy and a step toward a two-state solution, which he described as increasingly under threat.
“I’ve always said we will recognise a Palestinian state as a contribution to a proper peace process, at the moment of maximum impact for the two-state solution,” Starmer said. “With that solution now under threat, this is the moment to act.”
The Prime Minister outlined specific conditions for Israel to avoid UK recognition of Palestine, including ending the "appalling situation" in Gaza, agreeing to a ceasefire, committing to a sustainable peace process, allowing UN aid to resume, and ruling out annexations in the West Bank. He also reiterated demands for Hamas to acknowledge it will have no role in Gaza’s governance. The UK will assess compliance by both parties before the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy, speaking at a UN conference in New York hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, described the decision as carrying the “hand of history,” referencing the UK’s role in the 1917 Balfour Declaration that supported the establishment of Israel. Lammy expressed hope that the move would lead to a ceasefire and alleviate Palestinian suffering.
The announcement follows France’s recent pledge to recognise Palestine at the UNGA, making it the first G7 nation to take such a step. Currently, 147 of the 193 UN member states—about 75%—recognise Palestine as a sovereign nation, including European countries like Spain, Ireland, and Norway, which formalised recognition last year.
**Domestic and International Pressure**
Starmer’s decision comes amid mounting domestic pressure, with 255 MPs from nine political parties signing a letter urging the government to recognise Palestine. Public outrage over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by images of starvation, has intensified calls for action. Al Jazeera’s Milena Veselinovic, reporting from London, noted that while Starmer faces significant pressure, the UK’s move is not an outright commitment like France’s but rather a strategic effort to push Israel to improve conditions in Gaza.
**Will It Make a Difference?**
While the recognition of Palestine could carry significant diplomatic weight, potentially influencing major powers like the US, analysts remain cautious about its immediate impact. William Lawrence, a former US diplomat, told Al Jazeera that the specificity of Starmer’s demands could pressure both Israel and the US, even if the move does not instantly resolve the humanitarian crisis. “Diplomatically, this is massive,” Lawrence said, though he acknowledged it may offer little immediate relief to those suffering in Gaza.
Scepticism persists, with critics questioning the sincerity of Western leaders who continue to support Israel militarily. Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst Marwan Bishara accused Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron of being “accomplices in genocide” due to their broader policies, arguing that their announcements lack clarity on the scope of the Palestinian state—whether it encompasses all territories occupied in 1967, including East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza.
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the UK’s decision, claiming it “harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire” and is driven by internal political pressures and France’s earlier move.
As the UNGA approaches, the UK’s conditional recognition of Palestine signals a bold step, but its success in altering the situation on the ground remains uncertain. For now, the world watches to see whether Starmer’s conditions will be met or if the UK will join the growing list of nations recognising Palestinian statehood.