UK to Recognise Palestinian State at UN in September Unless Israel Meets Key Conditions, Says PM Keir Starmer
London, July 29, 2025 – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday that the United Kingdom is prepared to formally recognise a Palestinian state at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September unless Israel takes significant steps to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza and commits to a credible peace process.
The UK would become the second Western permanent member of the UN Security Council to take such a step, following France’s recent decision to recognise Palestinian statehood. Analysts say the move reflects Israel’s increasing diplomatic isolation over its ongoing military campaign against Hamas, which has left more than 60,000 Palestinians dead and pushed Gaza into a humanitarian catastrophe.
“The Palestinian people have endured terrible suffering. Now, in Gaza, because of a catastrophic failure of aid, we see starving babies and children too weak to stand. The suffering must end,” Starmer told reporters outside 10 Downing Street.
Conditions Set by the UK
Starmer said Britain would hold off on recognition only if Israel met three key conditions before the September UN session:
- Allowing more humanitarian aid to enter Gaza,
- A clear commitment not to annex the West Bank, and
- A genuine long-term peace process leading to a viable two-state solution, with a Palestinian state co-existing alongside Israel.
Starmer stressed that no party would have a veto over the UK’s decision, making clear that London is ready to take independent action if progress is not made.
Cabinet Recalled Over Gaza Crisis
The announcement followed an emergency meeting of the UK cabinet, which was recalled from its summer recess to discuss a new European-backed peace initiative and strategies for increasing aid to Gaza’s 2.2 million residents.
“We will assess in September how far the parties have met these steps,” Starmer said.
Successive British governments have previously said they would recognise a Palestinian state “when the time is right” but had avoided setting a timeline or explicit conditions until now.
Growing Political Pressure
Starmer, who strongly supported Israel’s right to self-defence during the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, has shifted to a more critical position since becoming prime minister last year. A growing number of lawmakers from his Labour Party have been urging him to act, saying that recognising Palestinian statehood would increase pressure on Israel to change course.
The prime minister’s tougher stance also includes dropping the UK’s legal challenge against International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suspending some arms sales to Israel, and recently sanctioning two far-right Israeli cabinet ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, over their incitement of violence against Palestinians.
France’s Recognition of Palestine Fuels Momentum
The UK announcement comes days after French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that France would recognise the State of Palestine based on 1967 borders. Israel condemned France’s move, calling it a “reward for Hamas,” while Palestinian leaders hailed it as a major diplomatic victory.
Starmer’s comments underline the increasing divide between Israel and key European allies over the war in Gaza. If the UK follows through with recognition in September, it could mark a watershed moment in the international push for a two-state solution.
