UK hostage families stress deep concerns over UK recognition of Palestine but welcome Hamas sanction move

British families of Gaza hostages have reiterated their “deep concern” over the UK government’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state, but have “cautiously welcomed” a move to place sanctions on Hamas.

Keir Starmer is expected to confirm that the UK will formally recognise Palestinian statehood in a video-recorded speech later on Sunday.

It is understood that a key new addition to the statement will be confirmation that the government intends to place sanctions on Hamas, which is already a proscribed group in the UK.

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A letter  sent to the Prime Minister on Saturday by a group of 16 relatives urged Starmer to about-turn on recognition and accused him of having “dramatically complicated efforts to bring home our loved ones”.

But with this plea going unanswered, a statement issued by lawyers Adam Wagner and Adam Rose on behalf of the six families emerged on Sunday, ahead of Starmer’s announcement on recognition.

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It said:”Over recent weeks, since the UK announced its intention to recognition a state of Palestine, we have met numerous times with officials and ministers, including the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretaries (both David Lammy and Yvette Cooper).

“It was clear from the meetings that the UK intended to recognise Palestine, despite our deep concerns that to do so at this time could delay a ceasefire and be seen as rewarding Hamas”.

But revealed details of an earlier meeting with the PM, the families said:”Given that recognition appeared certain, we presented the Prime Minister with a proposal to do more to weaken Hamas, the proscribed terrorist organisation which murdered and imprisoned our relatives, including starving, abusing and torturing them.

“Reports in today’s press suggest that the Prime Minister intends to take up our proposal to place sanctions on Hamas. We cautiously welcome this, though we await the details. ”

They added:”The UK must understand that there can be no peaceful future for either Palestinians or Israelis whilst Hamas, and our hostage relatives, remain in Gaza. If it is truly committed to a peaceful future in the region, the UK must now do everything it can to weaken Hamas.

“It is essential now to work towards a ceasefire. The ongoing violence creates huge risks for the remaining hostages. A diplomatic solution, which the UK says it is working towards, is the most likely way to secure their safe release.

“We will continue to work tirelessly until every one of the remaining 48 hostages are freed, including British-linked Avinatan Or and Yossi Sharabi.”

On Saturday Sharon Sharabi, the brother of freed hostage Eli Sharabi and deceased hostage Yossi, said: “While hostages are still held captive by Hamas, beaten, humiliated, and starved, the British Government chooses to ignore the unimaginable situation of terrorism and reward the murderers.

“History will judge those who supported terrorism. The world refuses to understand that Israel is the only country in the Middle East that encourages democracy, stability, and peace”.

On Sunday, freed hostage Mandy Damari added:”Keir Starmer is under a two-state delusion.

“Whil one state is still run by a proscribed terrorist organisation,whose very charter is to annihilate Israel….

“Even if he thinks he’s right, he is rewarding Hamas forthe  Ocotber 7 barbaric attack on Israel when the hostages are still not back.

“The war is not over and Hamas are still in power.”

Appearing on television news channels on Sunday morning, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said that the UK’s recognition of a Palestinian state will have little immediate impact but will sustain hopes for an eventual peace settlement.

Lammy acknowledged it would not ease the humanitarian crisis or secure the release of hostages, but would keep open the prospect of an eventual two-state solution with a Palestinian state existing alongside Israel.

“Any decision to recognise a Palestinian state, if that were to take place later on today, does not make a Palestinian state happen overnight,” Lammy said.

He suggested a peace process would have to be based on the 1967 borders, with a shared capital in Jerusalem, issues that could take some time to resolve.

But he suggested recognition would help keep the prospect of a two-state solution alive.

“It is to keep that process alive, a process that the United Kingdom has committed to over successive governments,” he told Sky News’ Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips.

“So that is the decision. It’s not to say as night follows day, you recognise one day and a Palestinian state appears the next.”

He told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: “Will this feed children? No, it won’t, that’s down to humanitarian aid. Will this free hostages? That must be down to a ceasefire.”