THE UK will not recognise Palestine as a state at an upcoming UN conference, according to reports.
It was previously understood that the UK Government was in talks to officially recognise a Palestinian state at the planned conference later this month, alongside France.
However, the UN conference, set to be held between June 17 and 20 in New York, has now weakened its goal and will instead look to agree on steps towards recognition, rather than making a formal declaration.
While French president Emmanuel Macron – co-sponsor of the three-day event, alongside Saudi Arabia – has said that the recognition of Palestine is "a moral duty and political requirement", French officials briefing their Israeli counterparts reportedly assured them that a formal recognition will not take place at the conference.
French officials met both Israeli officials and the Palestinian prime minister, Mohammad Mustafa, earlier this week.
Israeli newspaper Ynet has reported the French officials as saying: “We want this framework to include elements that support Israel’s future. This isn’t about isolating or condemning Israel – it’s about paving a way to end the war in Gaza.
"The recognition of a Palestinian state remains on the table, but not as a product of the conference. This will remain a bilateral subject between states."
The official added that the conference will instead focus on ensuring a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, an end to Hamas's rule in Gaza, reforms of the Palestinian Authority and the implementation of a two-state solution.
According to The Guardian, France and Saudi Arabia have set up eight working groups at the conference. The UK is set to oversee the humanitarian working party, with other groups focusing on the economic viability of a Palestinian state, promoting respect for international law, and the benefits to both sides from a peaceful settlement.
It is widely thought that Israel and the US will boycott the conference after both countries attended meetings in the run-up to the event.
The UK Government is under increasing pressure to formally recognise Palestine as a state, with more than 70 Labour parliamentarians writing to Prime Minister Keir Starmer last month urging him to make the move with France at the June conference.
However, the UK Government has also said that recognition would only take place at a time when it would help the peace process.
He told the Lords international relations select committee last month: “No-one has a veto on when the UK recognises that Palestinian state … We have always said that recognition is not an end in of itself and we will prefer recognition as a part of a process to two states.
“President Macron has had a lot to say about that, most recently, alongside the Saudis, and of course we are in discussion with them at this time.”
When approached by The National for comment, the Foreign Office pointed towards Lammy's comments in the Commons on May 20, when he condemned the Israeli government's actions as "egregious" and announced the suspension of a new free trade deal with Israel.
He said at the time: "The UK will not give up on a two-state solution. Israelis living in secure borders, recognised and at peace with their neighbours, free from the threat of terrorism. Palestinians living in their own state, in dignity and security, free of occupation.
"The two-state solution remains the ideal framework, indeed, the only framework, for a just and lasting peace. But as the House knows, its very viability is in peril."
