The UK, Canada, and Australia have decided to formally recognize Palestine as a state, which could lead to changes in how Europe approaches this issue at the United Nations. However, this decision hasn’t sat well with the United States, which has cautioned that it could inadvertently provide support to Hamas, nor with Israeli officials, who voiced significant concerns.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer noted that this recognition comes with conditions — emphasizing disarmament of Hamas, their release of hostages, and relinquishing control of Gaza. This step has escalated tensions diplomatically, leading Israel to summon its ambassador to the UK for discussions. Meanwhile, the UN has called an urgent meeting to review what these recognitions mean for the future.
Starmer highlighted the underlying motive behind the recognition: “In response to the escalating crisis in the Middle East, our actions aim to preserve the possibility of achieving peace and establishing a two-state solution.” He further commented, “We need both a secure Israel and a viable Palestinian state, but right now, we don’t have either.”
The Israeli Foreign Ministry released a statement condemning the recognition, arguing that it encourages Hamas, a group tied to terrorist activities. They also pointed out that Hamas leaders have indicated that this recognition is seen as a result of the disturbing events that took place on October 7. They warned against allowing extremist ideologies to influence policy decisions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that acknowledging Palestinian statehood is like endorsing terrorism. In response, Starmer has suggested implementing sanctions aimed at pushing Hamas towards compliance with international norms.
Starmer did not hold back in his critique of Israeli military actions, saying, “The level of suffering and destruction is simply unacceptable. The loss of life is staggering, including many victims who were just seeking basic necessities like food and water. This ongoing tragedy should prompt immediate action to bring it to a halt.”
UK parliament member Nigel Farage voiced his opposition to this recognition, stating, “Hamas and the inception of a Palestinian state are currently intertwined.”
He further added, “This is classic Starmer behavior. He doesn’t seem to have a clear position. Despite any qualifications he’s made, this statement appears to be a capitulation to terrorism and a disloyalty to Israel.”
Michael Davis writes about U.S. political developments and news for Modern Newsstand LLC.
