LONDON: Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce on Sunday Britain’s recognition of a Palestinian state in a break with long-standing policy despite stiff opposition from Israel and disapproval from the United States, the UK’s closest ally.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy confirmed that Starmer would announce his decision later on Sunday and said any recognition should be seen as part of a peace process leading to an eventual two-state solution.
Britain is expected to join more than 140 other members of the United Nations which have recognized a Palestinian state. But its decision carries symbolic weight as Britain has long been a key ally of Israel and played a key role in its creation as a modern nation in the aftermath of World War Two.
A number of other countries including France, Canada, Australia and Belgium are also expected to formally recognize a Palestinian state this week at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
“Any step to recognize (a Palestinian state) is because we wish to keep alive the prospects of a two-state solution,” Lammy told Sky News.
