UK plans to recognise Palestinian state in September

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has informed his cabinet that the United Kingdom will recognise the state of Palestine in September — ahead of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session — unless Israel takes significant measures to address the crisis in Gaza and demonstrates a commitment to the peace process.

According to an official government statement issued Tuesday, Starmer said recognition would proceed unless Israel ends the ongoing hostilities in Gaza, reaches a ceasefire, halts plans for annexation in the West Bank, and engages in a long-term peace framework aimed at achieving a two-state solution.

The statement also noted that Starmer reiterated the UK's position that there is “no equivalence between Israel and Hamas.”

He maintained that Hamas must release all hostages, agree to a ceasefire, renounce governance over Gaza, and fully disarm.

The announcement marks a significant shift in the UK’s foreign policy approach amid growing international pressure to resolve the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.