U.K. to recognize Palestinian state in September unless Israel acts to end Gaza crisis

08/01/2025 / By Laura Harris

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the United Kingdom will recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September unless Israel takes immediate steps to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and commit to a lasting peace process.
The U.K. is calling for unfettered humanitarian access to Gaza, a ceasefire, a halt to West Bank annexations and for Hamas to disarm and release all Israeli hostages.
Starmer said recognition is necessary to preserve the viability of a two-state solution, which he believes is “under threat” as conditions in Gaza worsen.
French President Emmanuel Macron also announced that France will recognize Palestine at the UN in September, citing France’s “historic commitment to a just and sustainable peace in the Middle East.”
Though over 140 countries already recognize Palestine, the U.K. and France’s positions carry special weight due to their status as nuclear-armed UN Security Council members and longstanding allies of Israel.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that the United Kingdom will formally recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in September unless Israel takes “substantive steps” to end the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and commit to a long-term peace process.

On Tuesday, July 29, Starmer said the time had come for the U.K. to use its influence to protect the viability of a two-state solution as conditions in Gaza deteriorate, famine spreads and international aid efforts remain largely blocked. (Related: Kremlin reaffirms recognition of State of Palestine as a sovereign nation.)

“I have always said that we will recognize a Palestinian state at the moment of maximum impact for the two-state solution. With that solution now under threat, this is the moment to act,” Starmer said on Tuesday.

The U.K. government made it clear that the recognition will proceed at the UN General Assembly in September unless Israel immediately facilitates humanitarian access and commits to a long-term peace process.

Among the steps demanded are immediate and unfettered access for UN humanitarian convoys into Gaza to combat starvation, a ceasefire agreement and a firm commitment from Israel that there will be no annexation of West Bank territory. Starmer also stressed that Hamas must disarm and release the remaining Israeli hostages and reiterated that the militant group must “play no part in the governance of Gaza.”

Starmer coordinates with France and Germany to support Palestinian statehood recognition

The move follows mounting pressure from European allies. French President Emmanuel Macron pledged last week to support Palestinian statehood recognition at the UN in September.

Macron, who initially expressed strong support for Israel following the Hamas-led attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, has since grown increasingly critical of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Like Starmer, he shared on his official Instagram account that France’s recognition of Palestinian statehood will be formally presented at the UN General Assembly in September.

“Given its historic commitment to a just and sustainable peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the state of Palestine,” Macron posted on his Instagram on Thursday, July 24. “Peace is possible.” In his post, Macron included a letter addressed to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, reaffirming France’s “historic commitment to a just and sustainable peace in the Middle East.”

“I welcome these courageous commitments and highlight in return France’s own commitment to fostering the implementation of the solution of two States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security. This solution is the only path that can address the legitimate aspirations of both the Israelis and the Palestinians. It must now be brought about as quickly as possible,” Macron wrote to Abbas.

Starmer has reportedly coordinated with France and Germany in shaping the U.K. plan. Over 140 countries have already recognized the State of Palestine, but none hold the same influence as Britain and France – both nuclear-armed allies of Israel and permanent members of the UN Security Council.

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Watch the video below that talks about the growing number of nations wanting to recognize Palestine as a sovereign state.

This video is from the Maverick News channel on Brighteon.com.