LONDON: A minor opposition party in the British parliament on Sunday threatened to bring forward legislation on recognizing Palestinian statehood and “force a vote” if Prime Minister Keir Starmer continues to oppose the move.
The Scottish National Party (SNP), which pushes for the independence of Scotland, said it would table a “Palestine Recognition Bill” when parliament returns after its summer recess if Starmer did not change his position.
The prime minister has committed to recognizing Palestinian statehood but said it must be part of a peace process in the Middle East.
The SNP threat comes after more than 220 British MPs, including dozens from Starmer’s ruling Labour party, demanded Friday that the UK government follow France and recognize a Palestinian state.
The call, in a letter signed by lawmakers from nine UK political parties, came less than 24 hours after French President Emmanuel Macron said that his country would formally do so at a UN meeting in September.
