UK's Recognition of Palestinian State Expected from Starmer This Sunday

Sat Oct 18 2025 00:47:15 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to announce the UK's recognition of a Palestinian state in a significant shift in British foreign policy, coming amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Sir Keir Starmer is poised to officially recognize a Palestinian state in an announcement scheduled for Sunday. This decision comes after escalating violence and humanitarian crises in the Gaza region, prompting a change in UK's long-standing foreign policy stance. The announcement has sparked controversy, drawing backlash from the Israeli government and concern from hostage families related to recent Hamas actions. Critics question the implications of recognizing statehood amid ongoing conflicts and have called for a more conditional approach.

Sir Keir Starmer is expected to announce the UK's recognition of a Palestinian state in a statement on Sunday afternoon.

The move comes after the prime minister said in July the UK would shift its position in September unless Israel met conditions including agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza and committing to a long-term sustainable peace deal that delivers a two-state solution.

It represents a major change in British foreign policy after successive governments said recognition should come as part of a peace process and at a time of maximum impact.

The move has drawn fierce criticism from the Israeli government, hostage families, and some Conservatives.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously said such a move rewards terror.

However, UK ministers argue there was a moral responsibility to act to keep the hope of a long-term peace deal alive.

Government sources said the situation on the ground had worsened significantly in the last few weeks, citing images showing starvation and violence in Gaza, which the prime minister has described as intolerable.

Earlier this week, a United Nations commission of inquiry concluded Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, which Israel denounced as distorted and false.

Ministers have also highlighted the continued expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank as a key factor in the decision to recognize Palestinian statehood.

Justice Secretary David Lammy cited the controversial E1 settlement project, warning that it threatens the viability of a Palestinian state.

The recognition drive is welcomed by Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas, who recently met with Starmer.

However, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and families of hostages taken by Hamas have expressed their concerns, suggesting that recognizing a Palestinian state now could be seen as rewarding terrorism.

Amid this backdrop, Starmer has emphasized the importance of a ceasefire and sustainable peace, with the UN General Assembly meeting as a pivotal deadline for action.

Countries including Portugal, France, Canada, and Australia have also pledged to recognize a Palestinian state, reflecting a growing international support for this move. Currently, Palestine is recognized by around 75% of UN member states, though the lack of defined borders and a capital renders this recognition largely symbolic.

As the UK prepares to step forward, the implications for peace in the region remain a contentious issue both domestically and internationally.

}