By M10News International Desk|29 July 2025
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that the United Kingdom will formally recognise the state of Palestine in September — but only if Israel fails to meet a set of conditions aimed at achieving a sustainable peace in the region.
The decision, which followed a cabinet meeting on Monday, was confirmed ahead of a planned address by Foreign Secretary David Lammy at the United Nations in New York.
Starmer said the UK would proceed with recognition of Palestinian statehood before the next session of the UN General Assembly unless the Israeli government takes “substantive steps” toward ending the crisis in Gaza and advancing a two-state solution.
Those steps include agreeing to a ceasefire, facilitating humanitarian aid access in Gaza, halting further annexations in the West Bank, and laying the groundwork for a lasting peace framework between Israel and Palestine.
“The appalling situation in Gaza must end,” Starmer said in a statement. “Our message to the terrorists of Hamas is unchanged but unequivocal: they must immediately release all hostages, sign up to a ceasefire, disarm, and accept that they will play no part in the government of Gaza.”
The Prime Minister added that a final decision would be made in September based on whether the parties involved have meaningfully complied with these conditions.
“No one should have a veto over our decision,” he said. “This is the way forward.”
At the UN headquarters in New York, Foreign Secretary David Lammy expanded on the UK’s new position in a speech that received strong applause. He made clear the UK’s view that recognising Palestinian statehood is not at odds with defending Israel’s right to security.
“There is no contradiction between support for Israel’s security and support for Palestinian statehood,” Lammy said. “Indeed, the opposite is true.”
Lammy directly criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rejection of a two-state solution, calling it “morally and strategically wrong.”
“It is with the hand of history on our shoulders that His Majesty’s Government intends to recognise the state of Palestine when the UN General Assembly gathers in September here in New York,” he declared, to sustained applause.
However, he later clarified that the move remains conditional and will depend on whether the Israeli government takes tangible steps in the coming weeks.
The decision follows growing political pressure within the Labour Party, as calls to recognise Palestine have intensified. London Mayor Sadiq Khan and senior cabinet members — including Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, and Health Secretary Wes Streeting — have all urged Starmer to act.
In Parliament, more than a third of MPs in the House of Commons have now signed a letter calling on the Prime Minister to move ahead with recognition, citing the need for the UK to uphold international law and demonstrate leadership on the global stage.
While over 130 countries already recognise Palestinian statehood, the UK has until now held back, citing the need for the right timing and progress on peace negotiations.
The September deadline now sets the stage for a potentially historic diplomatic shift — and one that could place the UK at odds with Israel if the conditions are not met.
Editing by M10News International Desk | Contact: international@m10news.com
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