At least 125 cross-party MPs have called on the British Prime Minister to recognise a State of Palestine, applying renewed pressure shortly after France declared it will recognise Palestine in late 2025.
The letter demanding that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer act is being organised by Labour backbencher Sarah Champion, who also serves as the International Development Committee Chair.
They write: “British recognition of Palestine would be particularly powerful given its role as the author of the Balfour Declaration and the former Mandatory Power in Palestine”.
“Since 1980 we have backed a two-state solution. Such a recognition would give that position substance as well as living up to a historic responsibility we have to the people under that Mandate.”
The letter also reportedly says: “While we appreciate that the UK does not have it in its power to bring about a free and independent Palestine, UK recognition would have a significant impact due to our historic connections and membership of the UN security council. So we urge you to tae this step.”
Earlier this month, nearly 60 Labour MPs called on David Lammy and the Foreign Office to recognise Palestine as a state immediately in a private letter, but this new call shows how dissatisfied many still are with the Government’s refusal to change its stance on the issue.
Late last night, Number 10 released a statement on Gaza calling the situation “unspeakable and indefensible,” but a growing number of Labour backbenchers believe it is simply not enough.
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According to Sky News, the Foreign Office have maintained they are committed to recognising a Palestinian state but have expressed a willingness to do so only when it will have the “most impact in support of a peace process”.
They say: “We continue to provide lifesaving aid to support Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, and to work closely in support of the Palestinian Authority.”
The Gaza-based Palestinian Ministry of Health has said that at least 79 Palestinians have been killed while 453 others were wounded in Israeli attacks across Gaza in the past 24 hours.
Ten bodies were also recovered from the rubble of previous Israeli attacks, the ministry has said.
Israel has killed 59,587 Palestinians and wounded 143,498 others since 7 October 2023, the statement issued on Telegram said.
The ministry said that 1,083 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid and 7,275 others have been wounded. 113 people have died from starvation and malnutrition due to the Israeli-imposed blockade in Gaza as of 24 July.
France announces Palestine recognition
The effort to pressure Starmer has been hastily scrambled together following the announcement that Paris will recognise a State of Palestine in September.
In a post on X, French President Emmanuel Macron said the formal announcement would be made at a session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
“The urgent need today is for the war in Gaza to end and for the civilian population to be rescued. Peace is possible. We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza,” he wrote.
Macron is taking the step hoping his decision will kick-start international momentum encouraging more Western countries to officially recognise Palestine.
Spain, Ireland and Norway have already formally recognised a Palestinian state, in what they say is an attempt to refocus attention on efforts to find a political solution to the war in the Middle East.
However, several major Western powers such as the UK and Germany have so far refused to recognise Palestine despite significant international pressure.
Israel often reacts angrily against any country who chooses to recognise Palestine. Tel Aviv withdrew its ambassadors from Spain, Ireland and Norway following their historic decision.
Not only will Starmer have to consider Israel’s reaction to any UK plan to recognise Palestine but key UK ally the United States could respond negatively to such a decision.
The U.S. strongly rejected France’s announcement to recognise Palestine with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio blasting the French President’s decision as “reckless.”
