The United Kingdom is set to recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel makes consequential moves to end the war in Gaza.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the news on Tuesday, following an emergency cabinet meeting and a discussion with US President Donald Trump. In a statement, Starmer said that the UK was joining efforts to get life-saving aid to Gaza by air and truck, but stated the only way for a long-term solution was for Palestinians to be recognised as a “viable and sovereign” state.
“The Palestinian people have endured terrible suffering,” he said in a televised statement.
“Now in Gaza, because of a catastrophic failure of aid, we see starving babies, children too weak to stand. Images that will stay with us for a lifetime. The suffering must end.”
You can watch the statement in its entirety below.
My statement on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and our plan for peace including the recognition of a Palestinian State. pic.twitter.com/aMUCNwJb9z
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 29, 2025
The move from the UK government comes a week after French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to recognise Palestine as a state in the next meeting of the UN General Assembly in September.
According to a more comprehensive government statement, the UK will go through with supporting a Palestinian state unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire, agrees to no annexation in the West Bank and commits to a process that results in a peaceful two-state solution.
“Our overwhelming concern is for the Israeli hostages and for the people of Gaza. We must do all we can to end the current suffering and change the situation on the ground,” Downing Street said, following an emergency cabinet meeting.
“We demand an immediate ceasefire to stop the slaughter, that the UN be allowed to send humanitarian assistance into Gaza on a continuing basis to prevent starvation, and the immediate release of the hostages. We support the US, Qatari and Egyptian governments in their attempts to bring about a ceasefire.”
While the UK government has supported a Palestinian statehood in the past, this is the first time that a locked-in deadline or requirements have been laid out specifically.
“We have long been committed to recognising a state of Palestine,” the statement continued.
“As our election manifesto said, Palestinian statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. It is not in the gift of any neighbour and is also essential to the long-term security of Israel. We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state as a contribution to a renewed peace process which results in a two-state solution with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.”
The UK government’s statement went on to condemn Hamas, demanding their support of a ceasefire and that hostages be released.
“We have been unequivocal in our condemnation of those evil attacks, and our support for the right of the State of Israel to self-defence,” the statement said.
“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.”
Israel rejects the statement by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) July 29, 2025
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… pic.twitter.com/CG2tueCYRe
Meanwhile, Israel’s Foreign Ministry has rejected the UK’s position, calling it a “reward for Hamas”.
“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,” Israel Foreign Ministry wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
In the US, Trump seemed to echo Israel’s position and claimed he never chatted about getting aid in Gaza with Starmer.
“You could make the case that you’re rewarding people, you’re rewarding Hamas,” he told reporters at Air Force One, via the ABC.
“We never discussed this, surprisingly … maybe a little bit at the news conference, but he was sort of discussing it with you.”
When asked about Starmer’s statement, Trump said he had “no view”.
“We want to take it one thing at a time. They need food and they need people to be able to get them the food,” Trump said.
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