Sadiq Khan calls for UK to immediately recognise Palestinian state
Mayor of London says Israel's continued war in Gaza is making a two-state solution impossible
Sadiq Khan has become the latest high-profile politician to call for the UK to immediately recognise a Palestinian state, arguing Israel’s continued war against Hamas in Gaza is making a two-state solution impossible.
In a post on X, the Mayor of London said: “The absolutely harrowing scenes of suffering in Gaza are being made worse by the day, with no sign of the crisis abating. The UK must immediately recognise Palestinian statehood. There can be no two state solution if there is no viable state left to call Palestine.”
He added: “Starving children searching hopelessly for food in the rubble, family members shot dead by Israeli soldiers as they search for aid. In heartbreaking scenes innocent lives are being torn apart before the eyes of the world.
“The international community – including our own government – must do more to pressure the Israeli government to stop this senseless killing and let vital life-saving aid in. Nothing justifies the actions of the Israeli government.”
The mayor’s post comes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces intense pressure from MPs across all parties to announce UK recognition of a Palestinian state.
A number of senior ministers in different cabinet meetings, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting over recent months, have argued that the UK should take a leading role in issuing recognition.
The government stance is to formally acknowledge Palestine as part of a peace process, but only in conjunction with other western countries and “at the point of maximum impact” – without saying what that would be.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy repeatedly faced down calls for the UK to now announce Palestinian statehood, arguing in the Commons this week that this would not change the situation on the ground.
Senior Liberal Democrats and former Tory minister Kit Malthouse have also spoken in favour of recognition.
A Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) spokesperson said: “The community fabric in this country is under ever increasing strain. An international conflict has seen a rise in antisemitism across the UK including in London where the impact has included lower attendances at synagogues whose worshippers must avoid regular protests which involve anti-Jewish chants and placards.
“UK unilateral recognition of a Palestinian State will not call one into existence or improve the humanitarian situation for Palestinian civilians. We are therefore deeply disappointed that the Mayor of London has chosen to intervene in support of a gesture to the detriment of community relations in the city he represents.”
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