UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that Britain is prepared to formally recognise a Palestinian state if ongoing violence in Gaza does not lead to a ceasefire agreement.
Speaking during a press briefing, Starmer emphasized that the UK could take “decisive diplomatic action” should negotiations between Israel and Palestinian authorities continue to stall. He argued that recognition would serve as a “necessary step toward peace” and signal Britain’s commitment to a two-state solution.
“The United Kingdom cannot stand by while the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens,” Starmer said. “If a ceasefire cannot be reached and progress toward peace remains blocked, we will move forward with recognition of Palestinian statehood as part of our commitment to international law and justice.”
The announcement comes amid mounting pressure from lawmakers, humanitarian groups, and international partners urging stronger action to address the crisis. Starmer added that while recognition would not solve the conflict alone, it would “reaffirm the UK’s support for Palestinian self-determination and push all parties back to the negotiating table.”
This marks one of the strongest statements yet from Starmer’s government on the Israel-Palestine conflict, highlighting growing divisions within Western diplomacy as the Gaza crisis continues.
