The United Kingdom (UK) could officially recognize Palestine as a state this September, ahead of the United Nations General Assembly, according to a statement by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday, 29 July. In a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Starmer said this move will go forward unless Israel takes clear steps to improve the situation in Gaza, such as agreeing to a ceasefire, stopping any plans to annex parts of the West Bank, and committing to a serious peace process that supports a two-state solution. He also emphasized that the UK’s expectations of Hamas remain unchanged: they must release all hostages, agree to a ceasefire, disarm, and stay out of governing Gaza. Starmer said the government will assess whether either side has made real progress before the UN meeting, and that no single party will have the power to block the UK’s decision. Starmer explained that the UK’s latest move is being driven by two key concerns: the ongoing crisis in Gaza, which he called “intolerable,” and the fear that the chance for a two-state solution is quickly fading. This announcement is part of an eight-step peace plan the…
