Britain is moving closer to recognizing Palestinian statehood, with senior government officials confirming Monday that the Labour administration is actively weighing the decision following intense public pressure over Gaza's humanitarian crisis claims. The potential policy shift comes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces mounting demands from his own party and widespread revulsion at images of starving children in the Gaza Strip.
Two senior government officials, speaking anonymously about sensitive internal discussions, told The New York Times that momentum for recognition has been building due to the escalating humanitarian crisis and reports of starvation deaths in Gaza following aid restrictions that were imposed by Israeli authorities. The officials revealed that Starmer's previous resistance to what he considered largely performative gestures has weakened under unprecedented political pressure.
The Labour prime minister has long supported Palestinian rights to an independent state but previously opposed immediate recognition, viewing such moves as symbolic acts that would not improve ground conditions and might complicate ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, according to The New York Times. However, this position has failed to satisfy more than 250 parliamentarians from nine parties, including Labour members, who signed a letter urging Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy to recognize Palestine at this week's United Nations conference on the two-state solution.
The parliamentary letter acknowledged that "the UK does not have it in its power to bring about a free and independent Palestine," but argued that recognition would carry significant impact given Britain's historical role in Israel's creation. Supporters of recognition have indicated such action would signal government acknowledgment of Gaza's tragedy and demonstrate Britain will not merely observe the unfolding crisis.
Cabinet ministers are also pushing for recognition, with Starmer recalling ministers from recess for an emergency cabinet meeting this week focused on the Gaza war. The meeting follows Starmer's Monday encounter with President Donald Trump at his Turnberry golf resort in Scotland, where the American leader appeared to grant Britain latitude on Palestinian recognition.
Trump, who dismissed French President Emmanuel Macron's recent recognition announcement by stating "what he says doesn't matter," notably refrained from discouraging Starmer from similar action. "I'm not going to take a position; I don't mind him taking a position," Trump said when asked about recognition. "I'm looking to getting people fed right now. That's the No. 1 position, because you have a lot of starving people."
During their meeting, Starmer pressed Trump to use American influence on Israel to increase food deliveries to Gaza. The president committed to working with Britain and other European nations to establish food centers "where people can walk in and no boundaries," representing apparent criticism of the current aid distribution system managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which operates under American contractors with Israeli backing.
In recent months, Britain imposed sanctions on two of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet members, Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, citing their role in inciting violence against Palestinians in Judea and Samaria and Gaza. Britain coordinated this action with Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway – concerted measures that diplomats suggest could be replicated for Palestinian recognition efforts.
France became the first Group of seven member to announce Palestinian state recognition, with Macron characterizing the decision as part of France's "historical commitment to a just and durable peace in the Middle East." Norway, Spain and Ireland previously recognized Palestine as a state.
Netanyahu condemned Macron's move, declaring that a Palestinian state could become "a launchpad to annihilate Israel." The Israeli leader's opposition underscores the diplomatic risks Starmer faces as he weighs Britain's position on Palestinian statehood recognition.
