London, September 21 — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to announce the United Kingdom‘s recognition of a Palestinian state in a statement on Sunday afternoon, marking a shift in foreign policy after Israel failed to meet conditions for a Gaza ceasefire and long-term peace, according to details received by The Chenab Times.
Starmer had stated in July that the UK would alter its position unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza and committed to a peace process enabling a Palestinian state alongside Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously described such recognition as rewarding terror, and the Israeli government has rejected the proposal since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostage, as reported by BBC. The move has faced criticism from the Israeli government, Gaza hostage families and some Conservatives, who argue it lacks leverage and stems from domestic Labour politics.
Government sources cited worsening conditions in Gaza, including recent images of starvation and violence described by Starmer as intolerable, along with an Israeli airstrike on a Hamas negotiating team in Qatar. The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry reported 71 people killed and 304 injured in Israeli attacks over the past 24 hours on Sunday. Israel’s ongoing ground operation in Gaza City, called cataclysmic by a UN official, has displaced hundreds of thousands, contributing to at least 65,208 deaths since the war began nearly two years ago, according to the ministry. A UN commission this week concluded Israel committed genocide in Gaza, a claim Israel rejected as distorted.
UK ministers also pointed to expanding Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, illegal under international law, as a factor. West Bank mayor Mohammed Jarrar of Jenin told BBC the recognition affirms Palestinian statehood despite occupation fears and Israeli annexation plans. “It confirms the fact that the Palestinian people possess a state, even if it is under occupation,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy emphasized the need to support a two-state solution, telling BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: “Will this feed children? No, it won’t. That’s down to humanitarian aid. Will it free hostages? That must be down to a ceasefire. But does this mean that you get, or hold out for, that two-state solution and stand by the Palestinian cause being a just cause? That was the determination that I and the prime minister made at the end of July.” He highlighted the E1 settlement project as threatening a viable Palestinian state.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the pledge during his recent visit to Starmer, with Downing Street noting agreement that Hamas should have no role in future Palestinian governance. Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian representative in the UK, called it an inalienable right that corrects historical denial, telling BBC: “The question is never why should the UK recognise the state of Palestine. The question is why didn’t the UK recognise the state of Palestine all along?”
Conservative shadow chancellor Mel Stride agreed on a two-state solution but criticized the timing as driven by internal pressures, not strategy. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey praised the decision as long overdue and urged lobbying U.S. President Donald Trump to halt the fighting.
Hostage families, representing the 48 still held in Gaza with 20 believed alive, warned in an open letter that the announcement complicates release efforts, as Hamas views it as a victory and has reneged on ceasefire talks. Lammy responded that he has consulted relatives and stressed Hamas does not represent Palestinians, with sanctions on the group forthcoming.
The announcement follows a UN General Assembly deadline set by Starmer for Israel to end the Gaza crisis and revive two-state prospects. Palestine is recognized by about 75% of UN member states but lacks defined boundaries, capital or army, making the step largely symbolic. Other nations like Spain, Ireland and Norway recognized it last year, while Portugal, France, Canada and Australia plan to do so. The two-state solution envisions a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza, with East Jerusalem as capital, though Israel occupies both territories.
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
Global Affairs Desk at The Chenab Times covers international developments, global diplomacy, and foreign policy issues through fact-based reporting, explainers, and analytical pieces. The desk focuses on major geopolitical events, diplomatic engagements, and international trends, with an emphasis on verified information, multiple perspectives, and contextual understanding of global affairs.
