Sadiq Khan urges UK govt to recognise Palestinian state

London mayor Sadiq Khan on Wednesday urged the UK government to immediately recognise a Palestinian state as global condemnation grows over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

In a post on X, Khan described the situation as “absolutely harrowing”, citing the killing of civilians and widespread starvation in the besieged territory.

“Starving children searching hopelessly for food in the rubble. Family members shot dead by Israeli soldiers as they search for aid,” he wrote.

“The international community – including our own government – must do far more to pressure the Israeli government to stop this horrific, senseless killing and let vital, life-saving aid in. Nothing justifies the actions of the Israeli government.”

Khan said the UK should take immediate steps to recognise Palestinian statehood, warning that without a viable Palestinian state, there can be no meaningful two-state solution.

The UK must immediately recognise Palestinian statehood.

There can be no two state solution if there is no viable state left to call Palestine. pic.twitter.com/wlnzNIt0bQ

— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) July 23, 2025

His intervention comes amid growing unease within government ranks. Several senior ministers have privately urged Starmer to lead the way in recognising Palestine as a means of applying diplomatic pressure on Israel.

The UK has maintained that it will recognise Palestine “at the point of maximum impact” and in coordination with other western allies, but no timeline has been set.

Recent scenes from Gaza, including reports of mass displacement, hunger, and civilian deaths, have sparked increasing concern across the cabinet and within the wider international community.