Mounting Pressure on UK’s Starmer to Recognize Palestinian State Amid Gaza Crisis
London — More than 200 British lawmakers have signed an open letter urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to recognize a Palestinian state, as Gaza reels under Israel’s military offensive and a deepening humanitarian catastrophe, reported by Al Jazeera News.
The letter, backed by 221 Members of Parliament from nine political parties, calls on the Labour-led government to act ahead of a United Nations conference on Palestine scheduled for next week. Lawmakers urged Starmer to fulfill the UK’s longstanding commitment to a two-state solution, saying recognition of Palestine would carry significant weight given Britain’s historical role and position on the UN Security Council.
“We urge you to take this step,” the letter reads, adding that while the UK cannot deliver statehood alone, it can help shape a pathway toward peace.
The appeal follows French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement Thursday that France will formally recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September — a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from Israeli officials but praise from pro-Palestinian advocates worldwide.
Amid Israel’s continuing bombardment and blockade of Gaza, public outrage has surged. Over 59,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, according to UN estimates. The siege has triggered a dire hunger crisis, with UN agencies warning that malnutrition among children has reached life-threatening levels.
In a statement Friday, Starmer condemned Israel’s military escalation, the denial of humanitarian aid, and violence from extremist settlers, calling the scenes in Gaza “appalling” and “indefensible.” He reaffirmed his support for Palestinian statehood but stopped short of immediate recognition, stressing the need for a broader peace framework.
“Recognition of a Palestinian state has to be one of those steps,” he said. “But it must be part of a wider plan that delivers lasting peace and security for both Palestinians and Israelis.”
Demonstrators gathered outside Starmer’s London residence on Friday, demanding stronger action. Meanwhile, Starmer faces a diplomatic balancing act as he prepares for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has criticized Macron’s move.
Observers note growing tension between European calls for accountability in Gaza and the U.S.’s firm backing of Israel, placing the UK squarely between diverging allies.
