Historic Move Expected in Coming Days
Britain is preparing to formally recognise the State of Palestine in what Palestinian officials have hailed as a “courageous step” at a critical moment for the Middle East.
The announcement is expected in the coming days and would mark one of the most significant shifts in UK foreign policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in decades.
Palestinian Authority Welcomes UK Shift
Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian praised the move, saying it was “better late than never.”
“Britain, with its weight, can influence other countries to come forward and recognise, because that is the right thing to do,” she told Sky News.
Anger at the White House
While celebrating Britain’s shift, Aghabekian voiced anger at the United States, accusing the White House of offering “unwavering support” to Israel despite escalating violence in Gaza and the West Bank.
“This blind support is not only harming the Palestinians but also Israeli society,” she said, adding that U.S. policy was preventing a fair path toward peace.
Tax Revenue Dispute Threatens Collapse
The foreign minister warned that Israel’s decision to withhold tax revenues owed to the Palestinian Authority was pushing civil institutions to the brink of collapse.
“People have not been paid. Civil servants are only receiving small parts of their salaries. We can’t buy medical supplies, equipment, you name it,” she said.
Britain joins Allies in Recognition.
Britain is expected to act alongside France, Canada, and Australia in recognising Palestine at the United Nations.
If confirmed, the move would add to growing international momentum, with three-quarters of UN member states already recognising Palestinian statehood.
Longstanding Occupation
The Palestinian territories — comprising the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip — are recognised internationally as occupied lands.
Israel has maintained a military occupation of the West Bank since 1967, while Gaza has faced repeated military offensives, most recently in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.
Aghabekian Rejects Link to Hamas
Aghabekian dismissed suggestions that recognition of Palestine would amount to a reward for Hamas.
“Non-recognition is also a reward to the extremists,” she argued. “If we wait until Israel decides it wants to go into negotiations, then it won’t happen.”
Hamas and the Future of Gaza
She confirmed that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has given written guarantees to global leaders that Hamas would not govern Gaza in the future.
“There is probably a worldwide consensus on this,” she said.
The Limits of Military Action
However, Aghabekian cautioned that eradicating Hamas was not feasible.
“Hamas is an ideology, not a building that you bring down,” she said. “Those who support Hamas need to see a political future where their children can prosper.”
Gaza’s Heavy Toll
The remarks come as Israel continues its military campaign in Gaza, launched in response to the Hamas-led assault that killed nearly 1,200 Israelis and saw around 250 hostages taken.
More than 65,000 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza, according to local health authorities, with thousands more displaced.
Hostages Still Held
Of the hostages abducted during the October attacks, 48 remain in Gaza. Around 20 are believed to still be alive, according to Israeli officials.
The ongoing hostage crisis has been a central factor in Israel’s refusal to halt its military operations.
Financial Squeeze on the West Bank
Meanwhile, the West Bank is facing mounting economic pressure. Under a decades-old agreement, Israel collects tax revenue on behalf of the Palestinian Authority.
Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, Israel has retained a much larger portion of these funds, encouraged by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
Families Without Income
“People have not been paid properly for months,” Aghabekian said. “How can a government run a country under such conditions? So yes, we are very worried.”
The financial strain, she added, was undermining hospitals, schools, and essential services.
Growing Global Consensus
Despite these challenges, Aghabekian insisted that international recognition was gaining ground.
“Recognition by Britain, France, and others will create momentum,” she said. “It shows there is a political pathway forward.”
Balancing Israel’s Concerns
Britain has long supported Israel’s security, but UK officials are now signalling a willingness to also support Palestinian rights under international law.
Aghabekian said this was an overdue correction to decades of imbalance.
Human Rights Argument
She emphasised that the recognition move should be seen through the lens of international law and human rights, not as a partisan gesture.
“This is about the right of people to self-determination,” she said.
Impact on Extremism
The minister also argued that recognition could weaken extremist movements by giving ordinary Palestinians a sense of political progress.
“When people see only destruction, they lose hope,” she said. “Recognition creates hope.”
Netanyahu Strengthened by U.S. Support
She suggested that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been emboldened by American diplomatic backing, especially from President Donald Trump.
“That empowerment is prolonging the conflict,” she said.
Collapse Risk in Civil Society
The immediate concern, however, remains financial. With tax revenues withheld, Palestinian civil society faces what Aghabekian called an “existential crisis.”
“We are barely able to keep things running,” she admitted.
Anger Directed at Washington
When asked directly if she was angry at the White House, Aghabekian responded: “Very angry. I expect the United States to align with international law, with human rights, with having no double standards.”
She accused Washington of prioritising its alliance with Israel over universal principles.
A Defining Moment
Britain’s expected recognition of Palestine marks a significant diplomatic shift, one that could reshape the dynamics of the Middle East peace process.
Whether it leads to renewed talks or deepens divisions remains to be seen, but officials in Ramallah insist it is a necessary step.
Hope Amid Crisis
“People need to see things are moving forward,” Aghabekian said. “Only then will they believe in a better future.”
For now, Britain’s decision could prove a pivotal moment in the long and bitter conflict.
