Published: 22 September ‘2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online
In a landmark and highly symbolic move, the United Kingdom has formally recognised the state of Palestine, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced, a decision intended to demonstrate Britain’s commitment to peace in the region while addressing domestic political pressures. The announcement coincided with similar declarations from Canada and Australia, as global attention focuses on the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately condemned the UK’s decision, describing it as “absurd” and “a reward for terrorism.” In response, Starmer emphasised that the recognition of Palestine was not intended to legitimise Hamas, the designated terrorist organisation, which he stated will face further UK sanctions and will play no role in a future Palestinian government. He reiterated that the release of all Israeli hostages remains a critical requirement.
Starmer framed the recognition as a measure to revive the two-state solution, stating that hope for peace must be preserved despite worsening conditions in the Middle East. “In the face of the growing horrors in the Middle East we are acting to keep alive the possibility of peace and a two-state solution,” he said. “That means a safe and secure Israel, alongside a viable Palestinian state. At the moment we have neither.”
The UK government plans to recognise Palestine provisionally based on the 1967 borders prior to Israel’s occupation of the Gaza Strip and West Bank. This step will also facilitate full diplomatic relations, with Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian head of mission in London, expected to be elevated to full ambassadorial status. Zomlot described the recognition as “an irreversible step towards justice, peace and the correction of historic wrongs,” including Britain’s colonial legacy in the region and the historical role of the Balfour Declaration.
Starmer had previously indicated in July that recognition would be granted unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire and committed to a two-state solution. Ahead of the announcement, he engaged in discussions with Netanyahu, underlining the UK’s commitment to a negotiated settlement.
The UK’s decision aligns with an emerging international trend, as more than 150 countries, including France, are expected to recognise Palestine by the end of the UN General Assembly session. Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, signalled further steps toward diplomatic engagement contingent on Palestinian reforms, while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stressed that recognition empowers those seeking peaceful coexistence and is not a reward for terrorism.
The recognition comes seven decades after the end of the British mandate in Palestine and the establishment of the state of Israel, at a time when the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen. Starmer underscored the scale of the crisis, noting the relentless bombardment, starvation, and devastation in the region, describing the situation as “utterly intolerable” and stressing that the suffering must end.
Israeli authorities rejected the move, warning that unilateral recognition by the UK, Canada, and Australia risks further destabilising the region. A spokesperson for Netanyahu stated that the declaration “does not promote peace, but on the contrary further destabilises the region and undermines the chances of achieving a peaceful solution in the future.”
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, representing the UK at the UN gathering, acknowledged that formal recognition would not bring immediate changes on the ground. He framed the decision as a symbolic gesture aimed at preserving hope for a future Palestinian state while complementing ongoing humanitarian efforts.
Domestically, Starmer faced pressure from within his party, including about a third of his cabinet, to formally recognise Palestine. Officials suggest that the symbolic move addresses both a moral imperative and the political necessity of responding to left-leaning and pro-Gaza constituents. A cabinet minister told the Guardian, “Symbols matter. The Labour government has placed itself on the right side of history. Recognition alone won’t change the lives of Palestinians, but it is a timely and necessary riposte to an authoritarian Israeli government.”
The UK government hopes that this step will create momentum for a renewed peace process and prevent further annexations in the West Bank, signalling its resolve to support a negotiated two-state solution while confronting humanitarian abuses in Gaza.
























































































