Starmer confirms UK recognises a Palestinian state in move branded ‘absurd’ by Israel

Keir Starmer has confirmed the UK has recognised a Palestinian state in a  move the Israeli government branded as “absurd”.

The Prime Minister said the move was intended “to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis”.

With the humanitarian crisis in Gaza escalating and Israel pushing ahead with settlements in the West Bank, Starmer  said “the hope of a two-state solution is fading” but “we cannot let that light go out”.

Earlier, an Israeli government press conference branded the decision to recognise a Palestinian state “absurd”.

Communal organisations and leaders in the UK have lined up to attack the move, as have hostage family groups.

In a statement, the Jewish Leadership Council said:”Today, as we prepare to  celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the UK government will formally recognise a Palestinian state.

“This is nothing short of a betrayal of the hostages and a reward for terrorism.”

The Board of Deputies also said in a statement: “There will be deep dismay at the Prime Minister’s announcement across the Jewish community and among family members of hostages.

“As we feared and warned, the way the UK has chosen to recognise a Palestinian state has done nothing to advance a ceasefire, free the hostages, stop the suffering of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, or advance long-term peace.

“It may have set those goals back, by reducing pressure on Hamas and enabling them to claim recognition as the ‘fruits’ of its violence and intransigence.”

In a video-recorded message, the  UK prime minister said: “In the face of the growing horrors in the Middle East, we are acting to keep alive the possibility of peace and a two-state solution. That means a safe and secure Israel, alongside a viable Palestinian state. At the moment, we have neither.”

Reflecting on the continued capture of the hostages in Gaza, up to 20 of whom are still thought to be alive, he noted that “almost two years after the barbaric attacks of October 7, hostages are still held by the terrorists of Hamas”.

He continued:”Recent images show the hostages suffering and emaciated. Hamas even refused to release all the bodies of the dead.

“I have met British families of the hostages.

“I see the torture that they endure each and every day, pain that strikes deep in people’s hearts across Israel and here in the United Kingdom.

“The hostages must be released immediately, and we will keep fighting to bring them home.”

The PM attempted to stave off criticism that he was rewarding Hamas with the move, saying:”Let’s be frank, Hamas is a brutal terror organization, and calling for a genuine two-state solution is the exact opposite of their hateful vision.

“So we are clear, this solution is not a reward for Hamas, because it means Hamas can have no future, no role in government, no role in security.

“We have already prescribed and sanctioned Hamas, and we will go further.
“I have directed work to sanction other Hamas figures in the coming weeks”.

The Labour Friends of Israel group was among those to criticise the move.
In a statement, they said:”While we do not doubt the sincerity of the government’s intentions and share its desire to see an end to the tragic conflict in Gaza, we strongly disagree with the decision to recognise a Palestinian state at this point. ”

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said recognition of a Palestinian state was an “absolutely disastrous” move by the Prime Minister.

She said: “We will all rue the day this decision was made. Rewarding terrorism with no conditions whatsoever put in place for Hamas.

“It leaves hostages languishing in Gaza and does nothing to stop the suffering of innocent people caught in this war.”

But reflecting on responses to the conflict in Gaza  at home, Starmer added in his video  message: “I know the strength of feeling that this conflict provokes.

“We have seen it on our streets, in our schools, in conversations we’ve had with friends and family. It has created division.

“Some have used it to stoke hatred and fear, but that solves nothing.
“Not only must we reject hate, we must redouble our efforts to combat hatred in all its forms.

“We must channel our efforts, united together in hope, behind the peaceful future that we want to see: the release of the hostages, an end to the violence, an end to the suffering, and a shift back towards a two-state solution as the best hope for peace and security for all sides.”

But he added the “moment has now arrived” to recognise a Palestinian state.

He said: “Today, to revive the hope of peace and a two-state solution, I state clearly as Prime Minister of this great country that the United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine.

“We recognised the State of Israel more than 75 years ago as a homeland for the Jewish people.

“Today we join over 150 countries that recognise a Palestinian state also.
“A pledge to the Palestinian and Israeli people that there can be a better future.”

A spokeswoman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he viewed the recognition of a Palestinian state as “absurd”.

Shosh Bedrosian told reporters: “There have been media reports suggesting the British prime minister Keir Starmer is planning on announcing the UK’s recognition of a Palestinian state today, a manoeuvre that Prime Minister Netanyahu has called absurd and simply a reward for terrorism.

She said Hamas did not want a state alongside Israel, “they want a state instead of Israel”.

The Israeli foreign ministry condemned the move, saying: “Recognition is nothing but a reward for jihadist Hamas.”

Ahead of Sunday’s announcement, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis had said:”The unconditional recognition of a Palestinian State by the British Government at the forthcoming annual United Nations General Assembly will prove to be a historic error of foreign policy, which will only impede the cause of peace. It is a reward for terrorism, while the hostages remain in chains, and has been celebrated by Hamas as “one of the fruits of 7th October.”

Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel added:”There can be no viable Palestinian state while Hamas continues to control Gaza, rejects ceasefires, and holds civilians hostage. Under Labour, Britain rewards violence and undermines every genuine effort to negotiate a peaceful two-state solution.”

Far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, national security minister, said in a post on X, that recognition “as a reward for the murderers of the Neveh Shalom victims” requires immediate action.

“I intend to submit a proposal at the upcoming cabinet meeting for the immediate application of Israeli sovereignty,” he added.

The UK has recognised the Palestinian state on provisional borders based on the 1967 lines, before Israel occupied the Gaza Strip and West Bank, although that would have to be finalised as part of any future peace negotiations.

The move should pave the way for full diplomatic relations with the Palestinian state.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Today’s historic decision, taken alongside some of our closest allies, to recognise a Palestinian state, reflects our unwavering commitment to a two-state solution and affirms the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.

“Recognition is an important step to preserve the prospect of a two-state solution, at a time when it is now under unprecedented threat. Two states is the only way to safeguard long-term peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike. We are clear that Hamas can have no role in Palestine’s future – they are a barbaric terrorist organisation who oppose the very idea of two states.”

It comes ahead of the UN General Assembly this week, with other nations, including Australia and Canada, making similar announcements at 2pm, shortly before Starmer’s announcement.

Palestinian Authority Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Varsen Aghabekian Shahin said countries recognising a Palestinian state this week were taking an irreversible step that preserved the two-state solution and brought Palestinian independence and sovereignty closer.

“This recognition is certainly not symbolic. It is a practical, tangible, irreversible step that countries must take if they are invested in preserving the two-state solution,” Shahin said.

n an early indication of the changes as a result of recognition, some Foreign Office web pages changed references from “Occupied Palestinian Territories” to “Palestine”.

The changes applied to pages including travel advice for Israel and the list of Foreign Office overseas posts.

Families of hostages held in Gaza later also condemned the Government’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state, calling it a “betrayal of humanity and a move that rewards Hamas while 48 hostages remain in captivity”.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum UK, a group representing relatives of captives with British ties, said in a statement: “Instead of confronting Hamas, Britain has emboldened it. Hamas has already celebrated the UK’s move as a victory, while continuing to block ceasefire deals and humanitarian access.”