The UK recognises Palestinian state after more than a century of policy shaped by the Balfour Declaration. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the move on Sunday, calling it a vital step to keep alive the possibility of peace in the Middle East.
“In the face of growing horror in Gaza and across the region, we are acting to preserve the path to a two-state solution,” Starmer said in a video statement.
The decision marks a dramatic shift in British foreign policy. For decades, London argued recognition should come only at a “moment of maximum impact.” Now, worsening conditions in Gaza and the West Bank have forced the UK to act sooner.
Global support and international reactions
The UK’s recognition of a Palestinian state comes just days after Canada and Australia took similar steps. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper described the move as proof of Britain’s “unwavering commitment to a two-state solution.” Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy stressed that recognition would not create a Palestinian state overnight but would strengthen prospects for peace.
Palestinian leaders welcomed the decision. Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin called it “a message of hope for a free and sovereign state.” Layla Moran, the first MP of Palestinian descent in the UK, said the recognition “rectified a decades-long injustice.”
Meanwhile, Israel strongly condemned the move. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a “prize for Hamas” and vowed that a Palestinian state would never be established west of the Jordan River. Far-right ministers urged him to accelerate annexation of the West Bank.
The announcement comes ahead of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, where Palestinian sovereignty will be debated. France and Saudi Arabia will also co-host a summit in New York to push for renewed peace talks.
Despite international support, Israel has signalled defiance. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said he would submit a proposal for immediate West Bank annexation. Other ministers argued that “there is no Palestinian people and no Palestinian state.”
For Palestinians, however, the UK’s decision represents progress after decades of occupation. As Starmer emphasised, the recognition of a Palestinian state reflects Britain’s commitment to peace and to the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.
