Starmer: London will recognise Palestinian state if Israel continues blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza

(Patria) - The United Kingdom will recognise a Palestinian state before the September session of the United Nations General Assembly if Israel continues obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and continues its military operation in the enclave, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, as reported by TASS.

„We are determined to protect the viability of the two-state solution and will therefore recognise the state of Palestine in September before the UN General Assembly, unless the Israeli government takes significant steps to end the horrific situation in Gaza and commits to a long-term sustainable peace, including enabling the UN to resume without delay the delivery of humanitarian support to the people of Gaza to end the famine, agreeing to a ceasefire, and making it clear that there will be no annexation in the West Bank,“ he said in a statement.

„Before the UN General Assembly, we will assess the extent to which the parties have fulfilled these steps.

No party will have the right to veto recognition through their actions or inaction. But recognition alone will not change the situation on the ground. Therefore, we are taking additional urgent steps to alleviate the humanitarian situation, including airdrops of humanitarian aid together with Jordan, and the transfer of injured children from Gaza to British hospitals, along with strong pressure to continue UN humanitarian aid deliveries.“

The statement notes that London demands an „immediate ceasefire to stop the slaughter, allowing the UN to send humanitarian aid to Gaza on a continuous basis to prevent famine, and the immediate release of hostages“ held by the Palestinian movement Hamas.

The future of Gaza

The statement notes that London is „committed to working with our international partners to develop a credible peace plan for the next phase in Gaza that establishes transitional governance and security arrangements. This must be accompanied by the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the removal of Hamas leadership from Gaza as key steps towards a negotiated two-state solution.“

The statement notes that the ruling Labour Party has long been „committed to recognising the state of Palestine“ and that the party had this point in its 2024 election manifesto.

The statement notes that „Palestinian statehood is an inalienable right of the Palestinian people,“ while recognition of a Palestinian state is „essential for the long-term security of Israel. We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state as a contribution to a renewed peace process that results in a two-state solution with a secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.“

French President Emmanuel Macron stated on July 24 that Paris will recognise the State of Palestine at the September session of the UN General Assembly.