U.K. to recognize Palestine in September if Israel doesn't change course
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U.K. PM Keir Starmer with French President Emmanuel Macron. Photo: Hollie Adams - Pool/Getty Images
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the U.K. will recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in late September unless Israel takes steps to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza and commits to a renewed peace process with the Palestinians.
Why it matters: Starmer's statement follows shortly behind French President Emmanuel Macron's commitment to recognize Palestine at September's UN meetings. If both follow through, the U.S. will be the only permanent member of the UN Security Council that does not recognize a Palestinian state.
Driving the news: President Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Tuesday that he has no position on Starmer's move but thinks pressing Israel now will only reward Hamas, and the U.S. "is not in that camp."
- Trump met with Starmer on Monday, but he said they did not discuss recognition of Palestine. Trump has not reaffirmed the longstanding U.S. policy of supporting a two-state solution since returning to office.
- Starmer spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who adamantly rejects the idea of a Palestinian state, several hours before making the announcement, a source with knowledge of the call told Axios.
- "Starmer rewards Hamas' monstrous terrorism and punishes its victims. A jihadist state on Israel's TODAY will threaten Britain TOMORROW," Netanyahu said in response.
The big picture: International support for Israel has been eroding, particularly in Europe, as the war in Gaza drags on.
- Around three-quarters of UN member states already recognize Palestine. Many of those that don't are in Europe.
What they're saying: In a statement after a Cabinet meeting, Starmer said the U.K. demands "an immediate ceasefire to stop the slaughter" in Gaza and that the UN be allowed to provide humanitarian assistance to prevent starvation.
- "We are determined to protect the viability of the two-state solution, and so we will recognize the state of Palestine in September before UNGA," Starmer said in his statement released after a cabinet meeting.
Yes, but: Starmer said the UK could delay its recognition of Palestine if the Israeli government "takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza and commits to a long term sustainable peace, agreeing to a ceasefire, and making clear there will be no annexations in the West Bank."
What to watch: Starmer said the British government "will make an assessment ahead of the UN general assembly" and that "no one side will have a veto on recognition through their actions or inactions."
- Starmer said the U.K. will develop a peace plan for post-war Gaza that establishes transitional governance, security arrangements, withdrawal of Israel's military, the removal of Hamas leadership from Gaza and a resumption of peace talks based on a two-state solution.
- Starmer also said Hamas must immediately release all hostages, commit to a ceasefire and to disarmament, and agree to play no part in the government of Gaza.
State of play: The negotiations over the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal that broke down last week are still deadlocked.
- A Hamas delegation that includes the group's chief negotiator, Khalil al-Haia, left Doha on Tuesday and traveled to Turkey.
- Netanyahu held consultations with the Israeli negotiators on Tuesday and said in a statement that the efforts to reach a deal are ongoing but stressed the "major obstacle is Hamas."
- "They remain obstinate in their refusal. President Trump said it, [U.S. envoy Steve] Witkoff said it, we're saying it — everyone who knows the facts, including the mediators, knows it. We are not giving up. We will continue doing everything we can, one way or another," he argued.
What's next: Netanyahu's aides Ron Dermer and Tzachi Hanegbi are in Washington for talks with senior White House and State Department officials about the situation in Gaza and the steps ahead.
This is a developing story and has been updated throughout.
