The UK will acknowledge Palestine as a state in September except Israel takes “substantive steps” to finish the “appalling situation in Gaza,” Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated Tuesday.
Addressing reporters at Downing Avenue, the prime minister stated the U.Ok. will acknowledge Palestine as a state on the United Nations Normal Meeting in September except Israel takes numerous steps — together with the institution of a ceasefire in Gaza, a dedication to halting the annexation of territory within the West Financial institution, and a pledge to work in direction of a peace course of involving a two state answer.
“Meanwhile, our message to the terrorists of Hamas is unchanged and unequivocal. They must immediately release all of the hostages, sign up to a ceasefire, disarm and accept that they will play no part in the government of Gaza,” Starmer added.
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer makes an handle following an emergency cupboard assembly on Gaza at 10 Downing Avenue in London on July 29, 2025.
TOBY MELVILLE/POOL/AFP through Getty Pictures
Talking on the United Nations headquarters in New York moments after Starmer had completed talking, Britain’s Overseas Minister David Lammy stated the U.Ok. authorities had taken this choice because the “two-state solution is in peril.”
“Let me be clear – the Netanyahu government’s rejection of a two-state solution is wrong. It’s wrong morally and it’s wrong strategically. It harms the interest of the Israeli people, closing off the only path to a just and lasting peace, and that is why we are determined to protect the viability of a two-state solution,” Lammy stated.
In an announcement on X, Israel’s Overseas Ministry condemned the choice by the U.Ok. and referred to as it a “reward for Hamas” that “harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of hostages.”
Chatting with reporters on Air Power One on Tuesday, President Trump stated that he didn’t focus on the choice with Starmer throughout their bilateral assembly in Scotland a day earlier than the announcement.
Seated alongside Starmer on Monday, Mr. Trump addressed the scenario in Gaza, saying the U.S. will likely be offering meals to the folks of Gaza and dealing to get rid of limitations to humanitarian help.
“Some of those kids are, that’s real starvation stuff,” Mr. Trump stated Monday. “I see it. And you’ll’t faux that. So we’re going to be much more concerned.
He added: “I told Israel maybe they have to do it a different way.”
Final week, French President Emmanuel Macron introduced that France would acknowledge Palestine as a state and would formalize that call on the U.N. Normal Meeting in September.
“Consistent with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine,” Macron stated on the time. “The urgent priority today is to end the war in Gaza and to bring relief to the civilian population.”
Netanyahu stated Israel “strongly” condemned that call and stated that it “rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became.”
“A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it. Let’s be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel,” the Israeli chief stated in a submit on X.
That announcement got here as strain has mounted on Israel to permit extra help into Gaza as pictures of ravenous Palestinian youngsters have garnered widespread international consideration over the previous week. The worldwide strain led Israel over the weekend to announce measures, together with every day humanitarian pauses in preventing in elements of Gaza and airdrops.
France’s high diplomat, Jean-Noël Barrot, hailed the U.Ok. prime minister’s announcement Tuesday in a social media submit.
“Together, through this pivotal decision and our combined efforts, we break the endless cycle of violence and reopen the prospect of peace in the region,” Barrot stated.
The Palestinian Ministry of Overseas Affairs lists 149 international locations that at present recognise the state of Palestine. That quantity would rise to 151 ought to France and the U.Ok. formalize recognition of Palestine as a state in September.
At the very least 60,000 Palestinians have been killed because the Israel-Hamas battle started, in keeping with the newest figures launched by the Hamas-run Gaza Well being Ministry.
Extra from CBS Information
