Cabinet Minister Kemi Badenoch has unleashed a fierce political broadside, accusing Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer of effectively 'rewarding terrorism' through his commitment to unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state if he wins the next general election.
The Business Secretary's incendiary comments, made in an exclusive interview, mark a significant escalation in the Tory assault on Labour's foreign policy credentials. She condemned the proposal as a 'huge, huge problem' that would catastrophically undermine Israel's security and embolden Hamas militants.
A Damning Indictment of Labour's Foreign Policy
Badenoch did not mince words, stating that such a move by a potential Prime Minister Starmer would 'make this country less safe'. Her critique centres on the belief that unilateral recognition, absent a negotiated two-state solution, sends a dangerous message. 'Unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state is a reward for terrorism,' she asserted. 'What the Palestinians need to do is to ensure that they are… moving towards peace, not supporting Hamas.'
This attack strategically targets a perceived weakness in Starmer's leadership—his struggle to maintain unity within his party over the deeply divisive issue of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Labour leader has faced immense internal pressure and witnessed numerous frontbench resignations over his stance on the war.
The Conservative Stance: Security and Negotiation
The Conservative government's position, reaffirmed by Badenoch, is that recognition of Palestinian statehood should only come as part of a 'negotiated settlement' leading to a sustainable two-state solution. This approach, she argued, ensures that any future Palestinian state is peaceful and democratic, rather than a haven for terrorists.
Her intervention is seen as a key part of the Tory election strategy to paint Labour as 'weak' on national security and unfit to handle complex international diplomacy. By framing Starmer's policy as a direct threat to both UK and Israeli security, the Conservatives aim to win over voters for whom a strong defence policy is a priority.
The political firefight over Middle East policy is now set to be a major battleground in the upcoming general election campaign, with profound implications for the UK's role on the world stage.
