Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a statement inside No. 10 Downing Street on the day the cabinet was recalled to discuss the situation in Gaza, in London, Britain, July 29, 2025.
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Tuesday (July 29, 2025) the U.K. will recognize a Palestinian state in September – unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza and takes steps toward long-term peace.
Mr. Starmer called ministers together for a rare summertime Cabinet meeting to discuss the situation in Gaza.
He told them that Britain will recognize a state of Palestine before the United Nations General Assembly, “unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, reaches a ceasefire, makes clear there will be no annexation in the West Bank, and commits to a long-term peace process that delivers a two state solution.”
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gather outside Downing Street with pots and pans on the day Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer recalls cabinet from summer recess to discuss Gaza, in London, Britain, July 29, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
Reuters
Britain has long supported the idea of an independent Palestinian state existing alongside Israel, but has said recognition should come as part of a negotiated two-state solution to the conflict.
Pressure to formally recognize Palestinian statehood has mounted since French President Emmanuel Macron announced that his country will become the first major Western power to recognize a Palestinian state in September.
Published – July 29, 2025 09:55 pm IST
