Middle East Crisis Voices on Gaza

Britain may recognize Palestine as a state

Britain will recognize Palestine as a state if Israel does not agree to a ceasefire, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced, according to Sky News.

Starmer said the time has come to recognize Palestine because it will have the greatest impact, the channel reported.

The statement was reportedly made now due to the “unacceptable situation in Gaza and the diminishing prospects for a peace process towards a two-state solution”.

In addition to the demand for a ceasefire, Starmer is demanding that Israel not annex the West Bank and that Israel agree to work towards a peace process leading to a two-state solution.

Israel rejects Starmer's announcement to recognize Palestine

Israel rejects Keir Starmer's announcement to recognize Palestine as a state if the country does not agree to a ceasefire, the Foreign Office writes in a statement on X.

The authority writes that the change in the British government's position after France's decision to also recognize Palestine as a state, is a "reward for Hamas and damages efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of hostages."

In addition to the demand for a ceasefire, the British Prime Minister demands that Israel not annex the West Bank and that Israel agree to work towards a peace process that leads to a two-state solution. If not, Starmer will recognize Palestine as a state in September.

Trump: Recognizing Palestine is rewarding Hamas

Donald Trump and Keir Starmer did not discuss Britain's plan to recognize Palestine as a state if Israel does not agree to concrete measures for the war in Gaza. This is stated by the American president according to Reuters.

- You are rewarding Hamas if you do. I do not think they should be rewarded, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he left Scotland on Tuesday.

Starmer is demanding that Israel agree to a ceasefire, that they should not annex the West Bank and that Israel agree to work towards a peace process that leads to a two-state solution. If not, Starmer will recognize Palestine as a state in September, he said in a statement on Tuesday.