The UK will recognise Palestine as a state next month even if Hamas fails to release its remaining Israeli hostages, Sir Keir Starmer suggested yesterday.
Amid a growing backlash over the Prime Minister’s pledge – plus warnings that he could be breaking international law – he refused to back calls to make a hostage deal a main condition of recognition.
Earlier this week Sir Keir announced the UK will recognise a Palestinian state before the UN general assembly in New York next month unless Israel meets a raft of conditions, including agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza.
The decision was condemned by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said it rewarded ‘Hamas’s monstrous terrorism’ – the group is still believed to be holding up to 50 hostages, many of whom were abducted during the attack on October 7, 2023, although only 20 are believed to still be alive.
Sir Keir was asked yesterday whether he would still recognise a Palestinian state in September – a hugely diplomatic and symbolic move – even if Hamas refuses to release more hostages.
