Starmer to Recognise a Palestinian State
Sir Keir Starmer has declared that the UK will recognise a state of Palestine in September unless Israel makes peace with Hamas, in a move critics say treats statehood as a “bargaining chip” and “rewards Hamas”. The Telegraph has more.
The Prime Minister issued the ultimatum to Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, following an emergency meeting of his Cabinet.
The announcement followed months of pressure from Sir Keir’s own Cabinet colleagues and MPs to move to a policy of immediate recognition.
It is likely to see the Government face pressure to go further, with critics to Sir Keir’s Left warning that statehood should not be used as a “bargaining chip”.
On Tuesday evening, Israel heavily criticised Sir Keir’s announcement, with its foreign affairs ministry warning that his proposals represented a “reward for Hamas”.
In an address to the nation, Sir Keir said: “I’ve always said that we will recognise a Palestinian state as a contribution to a proper peace process at the moment of maximum impact for the two-state solution. With that solution now under threat, this is the moment to act.”
Sir Keir said the Israeli government must:
- Agree to a ceasefire
- Allow the UN to restart the supply of aid — 500 trucks a day
- Make clear there will be no annexations in the West Bank
- Commit to a long-term sustainable peace based on two-state solution
The Prime Minister added: “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.”
Speaking at a United Nations summit on the two-state solution in New York, David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, said the Government had “the hand of history on our shoulders”.
Mr Lammy said: “There is no better vision for the future of the region than two states. Israelis living within secure borders, recognised and at peace with their neighbours, free from the threat of terrorism, and Palestinians living in their own state in dignity and security, free of occupation.
“The decades-long conflict between Israelis and Palestinians cannot be managed or contained. It must now be resolved. Britain is ready to play its full and historic part.”
The announcement was welcomed by the Government of France after Emmanuel Macron, the French President, confirmed last week that his own country would also recognise Palestine.
But Sir Keir faced criticism from both Left-wing figures who said his announcement did not go far enough and political opponents to his Right who warned it would “reward” Hamas.
Jeremy Corbyn, Sir Keir’s predecessor and the co-founder of a new hard-Left party, said: “Palestinian statehood is not a bargaining chip. It is not a threat. It is an inalienable right of the Palestinian people.
“Our demands on this shameful Government remain the same: end all arms sales to Israel, impose widespread sanctions, and stop the genocide, now.”
His sentiments were shared by Sir Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, who demanded “far greater action” to stop the worsening humanitarian situation.
Reform UK warned that Sir Keir’s decision had been made at the “wrong time” and play into the hands of Hamas.
A Reform spokesman said: “Recognising Palestine as a state does little more than reward Hamas for their actions on October 7th.
“This decision is being made at the wrong time and is a knee-jerk reaction by Keir Starmer to appease the hard left forces inside and outside of his party.”
Read more of the Telegraph‘s coverage here.
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He can go and live there then.
He’s probably worried that he’ll be given flying lessons there.
I wish…
Starmer-the-Contemptible’s latest clown-world “policy” is designed to signal to voters from the Left’s Favourite Religion that the Anti-white Party is on their side. Vile as well as contemptible.
I think Andrew Fox nails it. Starmer is nothing but a cuck, as was illustrated nicely during Trump’s visit;
”The UK government is run on backbench pressure, union blackmail threats, slavish prioritisation of international treaties ahead of national interest, and pressure from extremist elements within Labour’s electorate.
Starmer is so, so weak.”
I thought for a minute Donald said that – if only he had.
‘For the day of the LORD upon all the nations is near; As you have done, it shall be done to you; Your reprisal shall return upon your own head‘.
The prophet Obadiah v15.
Reform have it dead right. Labour are doing what we expected. They have years of commitment to Islam and Revolutionary active anti-Semite ones in particular.
Labour can see that its support in many constituencies is under threat from local Muslim areas.
There is nothing Labour can do about losing the muzzie vote. There will be sod all left of it if there is ever another election. Kneel is pissing in the wind chasing these votes.
The Muslim vote is now so strong they have no need of Starmer and Labour, he will be discarded and a Muslim Independent party will emerge to continue the work Starmer has facilitated
Exactly. We have seen this happening over the last few years in Oldham. If there are elections in 2026 the muzzie Independents will be out in force.
But what difference does this make to anybody concerned? Especially Israel? All of these leaders falling in line and repeating the same thing, their words carry no weight and only demonstrate capitulation to the pressure from backbenchers and the Muslim ( and antisemitic ) electorate; ”Palestinian self-determination may be a legitimate aspiration. But sovereignty requires more than grievance. It requires a defined territory, a legitimate and unified government, and a commitment to reject violence and live in peace with neighbors. Until Palestinian leadership meets these standards, recognition would not represent justice. It would represent capitulation. Recognizing a Palestinian state now would destroy any incentive for reform. It would entrench division, glorify terror, and sideline those seeking genuine coexistence. It would weaken the moral credibility of international law and strengthen the strategic position of actors who see civilian slaughter as a pathway to statehood. This is not a diplomatic breakthrough. It is appeasement. And appeasement in the face of evil is how democracies fall. Recognition of statehood is not symbolic. Under the 1933 Montevideo Convention, it is a legal status that requires a permanent population, defined territory, a functioning government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states. The… Read more »
I think that comprehensively nails it.
Even Jeffry Sachs, who seems to to have lost his mind on this, spouts on about the universal recognition (ie UN cronies)of the pre- ’67 borders, completely ignoring the fact that Hamas does not recognise them and the ‘Palestinians’ rejected that before.
Furthermore there is no way Israel will cede a militarily strategic advantage like the Golan Heights to a people who wish them eradicated and practice taqiyya.
I agree with what you say, but Starmer has shamed the people of this country, he has belittled us with two strong allies, the USA and Israel, and the majority of the people in this country are not anti semite, and would rather that our country was looked after and protected, as opposed to a terrorist organisation in the middle east.
Ah, recognizing Palestine. That will solve the problems.
It’s like “smash the gangs” all over again. 😀😀😀
The timing of this announcement suggests Kneel has seen his arse after the bollockings from the Honourable Donald.
Following his little EU buddy Napolean Macaroon – another failed leader.
“IS”
https://order-order.com/2025/07/29/trump-palestine-recognition-is-rewarding-hamas/#:~:text=TRUMP%3A%20PALESTINE%20RECOGNITION-,IS,-%E2%80%98REWARDING%20HAMAS%E2%80%99
As I suspected.
And when it comes to muslims very few people connect the lowering of the voting age to an increase in votes for islamic parties via postal votes where the head of the extended muslim families will fill in the voting forms as directed by their mosque.
Oh crap, I didnt see that. Great. Mind you I suspect the imbeciles in Labour didn’t either.
Labour are so firkin stupid that even while some of their numbers will believe that lowering the voting age will be good for them once the votes are in they are going to get the shock of their lives. Furthermore they will be treated no better than us honkies if the muzzies ever take over. Deluded w #nkers.
The man’s an idiot. Doesn’t he realise he’s just surrendered to Hamas?!
Not an idiot just a very wicked individual
He’s evil in a suit!
No, Starmer, you have no right to do that without the consent of Parliament or People. Speak for yourself as an individual, if you want.
Why not invite your Hamas friends to a press conference in London, and ask them why they are still holding Israeli hostages like some kind of Mexican drug cartel demanding ransom money?
Then you could try getting on with the job the British Taxpayers are paying you to do, instead of strutting about on the world stage, distracting attention from your abject failure to sort out the massive problems here at home.
Has he nothing vitally more important to do right now, or has 2tier decided to jump straight to item 25 on his todo list???
He’s had his weekly catch-up with the Muslim vote and priorities got shuffled. He doesn’t yet know they’re going to sack him, poor fellow.
Let’s set up a crowdfunder to get Starmer his Palestinian passport so he can be extradited there.
Corbyn can go with him.
I half expected to see Starmer waving a piece of paper and declaring “Peace in our time”. Appeasement is never a recipe for success.
In the briefing notes for the Starmer/Trump meeting, we were told they were going to discuss Gaza, but Trump says recognition didn’t get discussed. Why wouldn’t this vital topic be raised. Another thing Starmer was too scared to mention? Slightly off topic but watching the video of the Trump convoy sweeping into Turnbury, I noticed that the beast was flying the stars and stripes on one wing and a Scottish saltire on the other. No sign of the union flag. Can we assume then that when Trump drives through London, it will have the cross of St George flying from the wing?
So Starmer will recognise a Palestinian state if Israel does certain things. However, it’s unclear to me whether that recognition is also dependent upon Hamas standing down.
So have I got this right:-
If Israel does certain things then, according to Sir Keir, Palestine is not a State?
But if Israel does not do certain things then Palestine is a State?
Starmer never was big on commitment to anything. I’m old enough to remember when politicians were driven by personal conviction.
You just made me realise that it would have made way more sense the other way around: ceasefire or we recognise the Palestinian state.
Excellent use of the reductio ad absurdum approach.
I wonder if Sir Keir has considered the most obvious way of reducing the number of people being arrested for supporting Hamas or Palestine Action? Just un-ban them and then nobody can be arrested for supporting them. Simple – like him.
“…unless Israel makes peace with Hamas”
There is no such possibility on this Earth unless Israel surrenders to Hamas. Why not demand Hamas hand over the hostages and make peace with Israel? There is not a peep about the Israeli hostages. Absolutely nothing.
Is there a map? What is he actually proposing? The two parties involved in the conflict are made up of one that has offered a two state solution 5 times since 1948, and one that has no intention of ever accepting a two state solution because they are constitutionally committed to River to the Sea cleansing. Furthermore someone should tell the the pet imbecile, Lammy, that Gaza was and is not ‘occupied’.
Are there no limits to the humiliation which this appalling excuse for a PM will heap on this Nation?
Does he really not understand that it takes two sides to create peace. And the Palestinian side doesn’t want to.
Exactly. Why would Hamas want peace with a nation it’s sworn to destroy?
In his statement, Starmer says that ‘Hamas must immediately release all the hostages, sign up to an immediate ceasefire, accept that they will play no part in the government of Gaza, and commit to disarmament.’ But he says nothing about consequences should it fail to do any of this. In complete contrast, he tells Israel that, unless it in effect surrenders, Britain will punish it by recognising the State of Palestine.
There’s no possibility of course that either side will do Starmer’s bidding, demonstrating just how pathetic Britain has become. But the fact that Starmer is telling an ally – an ally that’s fighting for its life (and indirectly for ours) – to do as he says or he’ll reward its enemy is an utter disgrace.
It’s as though he thinks politely asking Hamas to stop will suffice.
You don’t make peace with Hamas Keith
It seems Labour are using their position to further their own individual personal agendas and ideology like a collective group of monarchs. Kier has tied us back into the EU against the biggest vote this country has ever taken to leave it. Kier has created a two tier society where his favoured people the Muslim constituency is raised above everyone else and their every wish pandered too. He has impverished the country with his Communist ideals of making us all peasants dependent upon his largesse. He has been able to continue his Party’s Corbynite anti semitism by recognising and encouraging Hamas through the support of a Palestinian state which will be rewarded for not making a peace deal with Israel, thus recognising Hamas and the Palestinians goal of wiping out the Jews, the British people did not sign up for this. He has bought in eugenics via the legal right of women to kill a baby up to the point of exit from the womb. At the other end of the scale he is legitimising state sponsored killing of the elderly, the sick and no doubt the party unfaithful. He has sealed the mouths of those who speak out against… Read more »
There is no “State” to recognise.
A State is not a Nation and there is no Palestinian Nation, nor is one created by drawing lines on a map or “recognising” some manufactured construct.
Palestinians have had since 2006 to make a State in Gaza… fail, they have had longer to make a State in the West Bank… fail.
Any so-called Palestinian State is a failed State before it starts.
It would be better if the Starmer creature focused his attention on the Home front and recognised the current parlous state of Britain much of it his doing. He is the most odious, deceitful, malignant, evil thing.
Here’s what’s happened:
Starmer has told Hamas that it must release the hostages, agree to a ceasefire, give up any further role in Gaza’s governance and disarm. All good stuff – except that he’s said nothing about consequences if they fail to do any of this. Which of course they will.
In total contrast, he’s told Israel – an ally that’s fighting for its life (and indirectly for ours) – to do as he says or he’ll reward its bitter enemy.
For a British Prime Minister to adopt such a position is a humiliating and unforgiveable disgrace.
There is plenty of time between now and September for Starmer to execute a U-turn on this.
Starmer says that the Israeli government must agree to a ceasefire but it takes two sides to agree a peace deal. Why did he not mention Hamas or the Palestinians? What if they do not wish to have a peace agreement because it suits their purpose to be the long-suffering martyrs?