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The United Kingdom has formally recognised the State of Palestine, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Saturday, September 21. The decision comes after Israel failed to meet specific conditions previously set by the UK government.
The announcement was made as part of a coordinated move with Canada and Australia, both of which also confirmed their recognition of Palestinian statehood on the same day.
Starmer said the UK had hoped for progress toward peace but that the situation in Gaza had worsened significantly.
“Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a two-state solution, the United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine,” he said.
Earlier in the year, Starmer said the UK was prepared to recognise Palestine in September unless Israel agreed to:
- A ceasefire in Gaza
- A path toward lasting peace
- A revived commitment to a two-state solution
According to the UK government, none of these conditions have been met. Instead, the conflict has escalated. A recent ground offensive was launched in Gaza, and a UN-commissioned inquiry reported that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians.
Starmer condemned both Hamas and the Israeli government’s actions. He described Hamas as a “brutal terrorist organisation” and said it has no place in any future Palestinian government. He also criticised Israel’s ongoing military operations, calling the scale of destruction in Gaza “utterly intolerable.”
“This death and destruction horrifies all of us. It must end,” he said.
Starmer added that this recognition is not a reward for Hamas and that the UK will move to sanction more Hamas leaders in the coming weeks.
Canada and Australia issued similar statements. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the recognition supports peace and stability in the region. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it “part of a coordinated international effort to support a two-state solution.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan also welcomed the move, saying it shows Palestinians in Gaza that they have not been forgotten. He referred to the situation in Gaza as a “genocide” and stressed the importance of international voices being heard.
The Israeli government responded strongly. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the move “absurd” and described it as a “reward for terrorism.”
“Hamas doesn’t want a state alongside Israel. They want a state instead of Israel,” the spokesperson said.
With this move, the UK joins more than 150 countries that now officially recognise the State of Palestine.
