Keir Starmer is facing mounting pressure from senior cabinet ministers to immediately recognise Palestine as a state, as global outrage intensifies over Israel's actions in Gaza. The prime minister has been urged by several ministers in recent cabinet meetings to take a leading role in issuing recognition, according to sources.
The UK has previously stated it would formally acknowledge Palestine as part of a peace process, in coordination with other Western countries and 'at the point of maximum impact'. However, growing desperation and horror inside the Labour cabinet over Israel's killing of starving civilians and attacks on humanitarian agencies have prompted calls for immediate action.
'We say that recognising Palestinian statehood is a really important symbol that you can only do once. But if not now, then when?' one cabinet minister said. Earlier this month, nearly 60 Labour MPs demanded immediate recognition after Israel announced plans to force all Gaza residents into a camp on the ruins of Rafah.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting, among those pushing for recognition, called for action 'while there's still a state of Palestine left to recognise'. He condemned Israel's attack on a World Health Organization facility as 'intolerable' and said such actions 'go well beyond legitimate self-defence'. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn have also raised the issue.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the UK would 'play its part' in achieving a two-state solution, working with France. He acknowledged that no peace process currently exists, only 'mayhem and conflict'. The UK's position remains that recognition should be part of a process leading to two states, but Lammy noted the debate is 'live'.
