Keir Starmer under pressure to recognise Palestinian statehood

Sir Keir Starmer is facing pressure to immediately recognise Palestinian statehood after France made a commitment to do so within months and a group of MPs called on the prime minister to do the same.

Labour and Lib Dem MPs on the foreign affairs committee argued that statehood is an “inalienable right” that should “not be made conditional”.

But their two Tory colleagues said it should only happen as part of a long-term political solution to the conflict in the Middle East, echoing the Labour government’s position.

Sir Keir is due to hold an emergency call with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz later today, amid warnings of mass starvation in Gaza.

In a statement on Thursday evening, condemning “unspeakable and indefensible” conditions in Gaza, Sir Keir said statehood was an “inalienable right”.

He reiterated his call for a ceasefire in the conflict, adding this would “put us on a path” towards recognising a Palestinian state.

He has previously said the UK should reserve recognition for when it would have the “greatest impact” – without specifying when this would be.

Most countries – about 139 in all – formally recognise a Palestinian state, although many European nations – and the United States – say they will only do so as part of moves towards a long-term resolution to the conflict.

Spain, Ireland and Norway formally took the step last year, hoping to exert diplomatic pressure to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.

At the United Nations (UN), representatives of Palestine currently have limited rights to participate in UN activity, and the territory is also recognised by various international organisations, including the Arab League.

Sceptics argue recognition would largely be a symbolic gesture unless questions over the leadership and extent of a Palestinian state are addressed first.

Speaking to the BBC on Tuesday, former UK Foreign Office boss Lord McDonald argued recognition itself “doesn’t really amount to very much,” adding that a Palestinian state lacked defined borders or an “agreed government”.

In their report, MPs on the foreign affairs committee acknowledged that the Israeli government “is not listening to the UK,” and was only “sporadically” listening to the United States, by far its most significant military backer.

The report urges the government to recognise Palestinian statehood “while there is still a state to recognise”.

“An inalienable right should not be made conditional,” the report adds.

“The government cannot continue to wait for the perfect time because experience shows that there will never be a perfect time.”

That section of the report was backed by all six Labour MPs who voted, including chairwoman Dame Emily Thornberry, and the two Liberal Democrats on the committee.

It was not endorsed by its two Conservative members, Aphra Brandreth and Sir John Whittingdale, who said the UK should only back the move as part of a wider two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

It is not unusual for select committees to be split on controversial issues but they will normally try to speak with one voice.

The Tory MPs on the foreign affairs committee made an unsuccessful attempt to change the report to reflect their views, arguing that recognition should accompany the release of hostages taken by Hamas in October 2023, and the creation of Palestinian authorities without Hamas supporters.

Around 60 MPs reportedly called for the UK to immediately recognise Palestinian statehood in a letter earlier this month, with London major Sir Sadiq Khan also making the call on Wednesday.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said recognising Palestinian statehood was a Labour manifesto commitment but added that it needed to “happen in way that would be empowering and that delivers the long-term peace Palestine needs”.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: “The UK should be leading on this, not falling behind.

“Recognise the independent state of Palestine now and take the lead on securing a two-state solution and a lasting peace.”

The MPs’ report comes after the UK and 27 other countries condemned the “drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians” seeking food and water in Gaza.

Israel’s foreign ministry rejected the countries’ statement, saying it was “disconnected from reality and sends the wrong message to Hamas”.

In the rest of their report, which was endorsed unanimously, the MPs called for a UN-led system to distribute aid in Gaza, replacing the controversial US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in place since May.

They also said the UK should justify how “allowing indirect exports” of British parts for F-35 fighter jets used by Israel complies with the UK’s obligations under international law.

The UK says it does not export the parts directly to Israel, but rather to manufacturing centres abroad as part of a global programme, and it cannot prevent Israel from obtaining the components.