VOICE OF THE JN: Appeasement that would have made Chamberlain blush
By recognising a Palestinian state, Keir Starmer has turned 7 October into a reward, while delivering precisely zero to advance the Palestinians’ rightful self-determination
By recognising a Palestinian state, Keir Starmer has crossed four unforgivable lines: handed Hamas the propaganda victory it’s craved since 7 October; broken the hearts of the families of 48 hostages still held – alive and dead – in Gaza; stabbed British Jews in the back for political theatre and squandered any leverage this country still had in bringing both sides towards negotiation.
Of course the Palestinian people deserve dignity and self-determination, despite their so-called leaders pathologically dedicating the last 80 years to destroying the Jewish state rather than building their own.
But a “state” without borders, institutions or unified government is not a state. It is an empty-headed slogan. A gesture utterly unworthy of the UK government.
Recognition in these conditions is not justice. It’s farce. Obscene, transparent and unforgivable. Especially given that if the Palestinians ever hold elections again, the likely winners would be – you guessed it – Hamas.
The Jewish Leadership Council put it just as bluntly: “This is nothing short of a betrayal of the hostages and a reward for terrorism. It will make peace even more elusive.”
This gesture is unworthy of a UK government. Recognition in these conditions is not justice. It’s farce.
The Board of Deputies echoed the anger, describing “deep dismay” across the Jewish community and warning that recognition “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.”
Starmer once pledged to wait for “the moment of maximum impact”. Instead, he has acted at a moment of maximum confusion. The government cannot explain what this achieves beyond a headline aimed at placating recalcitrant backbenchers. Leverage that might have been used to pressure both sides towards negotiation has been squandered for a hollow stunt.
This is not strategy. It is appeasement that would have made even Chamberlain blush.
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