Downing Street fails to clear up confusion over Palestine recognition plan and Hamas
Asked what specific conditions had been placed on Hamas over recognition, a No,10 spokesperson says 'We have always said Hamas must release the hostages unconditionally, and immediately'
Downing Street has failed to clear up confusion on whether the UK will recognise a Palestinian state if Hamas still holds the hostages and remains in power in Gaza.
Keir Starmer’s spokesperson was quizzed at length by Westminster journalists on Monday over whether hostages releases by Hamas would be a condition set by the UK before going ahead with recognition of a Palestinian state next month at the UN General Assembly.
The No.10 spokesperson said:”When it comes to recognition we have been clear that we will make an assessment ahead of the UN general assembly on how far the parties have met the steps we have set out, and that of course includes Hamas.
“Our focus is on the immediate situation on the ground and is to end the suffering in Gaza, and support talks for long-term security for both Israelis and Palestinians through a two-state solution.”
But asked whether a Palestinian state could be recognised with Hamas still in government, the spokesman also said that Hamas would not get a “veto” over UK recognition of Palestine.
He added: “We’ve been very clear that Hamas can have no role in the future governments of Gaza … We’ve also been clear that they must disarm, must release all the hostages.
“We’ve also been clear that Hamas are not the Palestinian people, and it is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to have recognition along the lines and the steps that we’ve previously set out.
“We’ve also been very clear it cannot be in the hands of Hamas, a terrorist group, to have a veto over recognition of Palestine.”
Asked to respond to claims that at a meeting with hostage families at the foreign office last week it was “made clear” that recognition would go ahead, even if no hostages are released, No.10 said:”We have said we will make an assessment ahead of the UN general assembly.”
Starmer’s spokesperson added he was unable to comment on the discussions at last week’s meeting, at which he was not present, adding the government’s position is as was set out in the statement released last week confirming an assessment would be made ahead of next month’s UN meeting.
Monday’s briefing to Westminister lobby journalists came amid mounting speculation that the actions of Hamas in response to last week’s announcement by the UK on recognition, had now made it harder for the Starmer government to proceed with the plan.
The PM has written exclusively for Jewish News last week, in which he defended the proposals despite a backlash from many in the UK Jewish community, and in Israel. KEIR STARMER EXCLUSIVE: UK stance moved Arab states to call for Hamas to disarm
One Labour opponent of the recognition plan predicted to Jewish News that the government’s only achievement would be to march the likes of Emily Thornberry MP and other leading supporters of Palestine statehood “up the hill, only to march them down again” next month.
The No.10 spokesperson was asked what specific conditions had been placed on Hamas over recognition, and added:”We have always said Hamas must release the hostages unconditionally, and immediately.
“That has been our long-standing demand. But more broadly, on recognition we will make an assessment ahead of UNGA.”
Pressed again, the spokesperson was asked:”There is no condition on Hamas to release the hostages in order to recognise Palestine?”
He responded:”Hamas must release the hostages, full stop.”
Hamas are “pariahs” who “can have no role in Gaza’s future,” added the spokesperson, who pointed to confirmation from Arab states including Qatar and Egypt that this was also there position.
But the spokesperson also said it should be clarified that “Hamas are not the Palestinian people.”
Later he also stressed Labour’s election manifesto had stated in was the “inalienable right of the Palestinian people” to have their own state.
He was then accused of “not saying six times” whether recognition could still happen with Hamas remaining in power in Gaza.
Asked what was the plan to prevent Hamas from remaining in control, No.10 said it was “central” to ceasefire negotiations that they could have no further role in Gaza.
Later the PM’s political spokesperson was asked about a statement from a Hamas official apparently welcoming the UK’s plan on recognition. She said:”I’d focus on the substance of the issue.
“Hamas committed an appalling act of terroism on the people of Israel and we are clear in our demand that the hostages need to be released immediately. We also support plans to bring about a ceasefire and end this misery and get to a long-term settlement that provides security and peace for Palestinians and Israelis.”
Asked about criticism from the British hostage familes to the recognition proposal and from some Labour MPs, the spokesperson said the government’s focus was on the situation on the ground.
He said he could not comment a meeting he had not attended at the foreign office last week, in which the hostage familes raised criticisms.