THE SNP have confirmed they will press ahead with a bid to force a vote on recognising Palestine – saying that Palestinians’ right to self-determination “must be based on principle, not preconditions”.
Keir Starmer has pledged to recognise the state of Palestine – but only if Israel does not meet a set of conditions which include agreeing a ceasefire and allowing in aid to the starving population of Gaza.
He has been criticised for using Palestinian recognition as a "bargaining chip" with the Israelis.
The SNP previously announced they would force a vote on the issue before Starmer's announcement on recognition on Tuesday evening.
The party now say that the UK Government putting the ball in Israel's court is "shocking" and undermines efforts to secure peace in the region.
[[SNP]] Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said: "It seems this Prime Minister is incapable of doing the right thing, at the right time and for the right reasons – recognising the right of the Palestinian people to their own state must be based on principle, not preconditions.
“Whilst it is obviously welcome that the UK Labour Government are finally indicating that they are prepared to recognise Palestine – placing those conditions under the control of Israel is shocking and undermines the peaceful, equitable two-state solution that we all wish to see.
“Israel should receive no recognition or reward for stopping the starvation of the Palestinian people in Gaza – they should be sanctioned for starving innocent children in the first place."
Flynn said that Starmer had "effectively placed the UK’s recognition of a Palestinian state in the hands of Benjamin Netanyahu", who he said was "inflicting a genocidal assault on [[Gaza]]".
The SNP MP added: "Recognising Palestine should be in the hands of the people’s elected representatives – not in the hands of Benjamin Netanyahu.
"That’s why the [[SNP]] will press ahead and table the [[Palestine]] Recognition Bill when the House of Commons returns in September if the Labour Government fails to recognise [[Palestine]] at the start of the UN General Assembly – if [[Keir Starmer]] continues to delay and set conditions, it is vital that MPs have a vote on the Palestinian people’s right to their own state.
“Stopping the assault and starvation in Gaza must be the immediate priority for the international community – and that will involve applying maximum pressure on the Israeli government to end their bombing and blockade of aid.
"Instead of Keir Starmer using the Palestinian state as a bargaining chip – his government could easily apply that pressure by stopping their sale of weapons to the Israeli government.”
Starmer's announcement has been met with anger on all sides, with Israel claiming it amounts to a "reward for Hamas".
In a statement, the country's foreign ministry added: "The shift in the British government’s position at this time, following the French move and internal political pressures, constitutes a reward for Hamas and harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of hostages."
It has also outraged America, Israel's staunchest ally during the Gaza genocide, with US state department spokesperson Tammy Bruce saying the Prime Minister's announcement was a "slap in the face for the victims of October 7".
Labour backbenchers have also expressed criticism of Starmer's announcement.
Sarah Champion, chair of the International Development Committee, said she was "delighted and relieved" that Starmer had said he would recognise Palestine – with it appearing unlikely Israel will accede to the UK's terms – but adding she was "troubled our recognition appears conditional on Israel's actions".
