Emily Damari, a British-Israeli woman held hostage by Hamas for more than 15 months, has accused Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of a “moral failure” after the UK government signalled it would recognise a Palestinian state. Writing on Instagram, the 29-year-old said the move risked “rewarding terror” and sending a message that “violence earns legitimacy”.
Damari, who was released in January, was shot and dragged from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza on 7 October 2023. She spent 471 days in captivity. In her statement, she compared the policy to recognising Nazi control of occupied countries during World War II, asking: “Had he been in power during World War II, would he have advocated recognition for Nazi control of occupied countries like Holland, France or Poland?”
Starmer announced on Tuesday that the UK would recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel commits to a ceasefire and a two-state solution. The government also demanded Hamas release all hostages, disarm, and accept no role in Gaza’s future governance. Damari’s criticism follows similar concerns from lawyers representing British families of hostages still held in Gaza.
Adam Rose and Adam Wagner, solicitors for the families, said the UK’s proposal risked making hostages a “bargaining chip”. They warned that “the risk is that Hamas will continue to refuse a ceasefire because if it agrees to one this would make UK recognition less likely”. The families have asked Starmer to confirm that “the UK will not take any substantive steps until all the hostages are free”.
Damari’s two friends, Ziv and Gali Berman, remain in captivity along with around 20 other hostages believed to be alive, while the bodies of about 30 others have yet to be returned. Since her release, Damari has campaigned for their safe return.
