British Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently announced that the UK will formally recognize a Palestinian state. This is a significant shift, especially considering that it comes more than a century after the Balfour Declaration, which supported establishing a national home for Jewish people in Palestine.
Starmer explained that this decision aims to keep the hopes for peace and a two-state solution alive amid escalating violence in the Middle East. He stated, “In the face of the growing horror, we act to keep the possibility of peace.”
The UK government’s earlier stance was to delay recognition until conditions were more favorable. This might change with the current dire circumstances in Gaza, where the humanitarian crisis has dramatically worsened. Israel’s military actions in Gaza have raised alarms about human rights violations, with many calling these actions a form of genocide.
Daily incidents are reported in the occupied West Bank as well, where settlements are expanding and tensions continue to rise. The UK’s announcement coincided with similar recognitions from Canada and Australia, just before the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, which is set to focus on Palestinian sovereignty after many years of occupation.
Starmer pledged further sanctions on leaders of Hamas, emphasizing that the act of recognizing a Palestinian state should not strengthen a group he refers to as a brutal terrorist organization. He believes that calling for a genuine two-state solution counters Hamas’s vision.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that this decision shows the UK’s commitment to a two-state solution and recognizes the Palestinians’ right to self-determination. However, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy noted that this recognition won’t result in an immediate establishment of a state, highlighting that it must be part of broader peace efforts that have stalled for decades.
In response to the UK’s decision, the Israeli government criticized both the UK and numerous UN members who support Palestinian statehood, claiming it rewards terrorism.
In a recent survey, over 70% of people in various Western countries expressed support for recognizing Palestinian statehood, suggesting growing public sentiment for action. Mohamad Elmasry, a professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, believes Western nations are responding to this pressure but may ultimately fall short of taking substantial steps to stop the violence.
He argued, “It seems they are doing this to show they are active without changing the situation on the ground.”
While symbolic for now, this recognition reflects a crucial moment in the ongoing struggle for Palestinian independence and peace.
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