LONDON — In a historic and politically seismic move, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to announce on September 21 that the United Kingdom will officially recognize a Palestinian state, a long-sought goal of the Palestinian people and a profound shift in British foreign policy. The decision comes after what Downing Street has described as Israel’s failure to meet a series of conditions set out by Starmer in July to improve the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The announcement is expected to be a key element of the UK’s diplomatic push at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York. While recognition of a Palestinian state has been a long-standing commitment of the Labour Party, the timing and context of the move are highly charged. Starmer previously said the UK’s recognition was contingent upon Israel agreeing to a ceasefire, committing to a two-state solution, and halting illegal settlement expansion in the West Bank. Officials have concluded that, with the humanitarian crisis worsening and a new Israeli ground offensive in Gaza City, those conditions have not been met, forcing the UK’s hand.
The decision is expected to be met with a furious backlash from Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu having already condemned the move as “appeasement towards jihadist terrorists” and a reward for Hamas. The United States has also expressed its opposition, with leading U.S. politicians urging the UK and its allies to reverse course, arguing that such a move undermines prospects for peace and “rewards Hamas with statehood before they have returned every hostage.”
For the Palestinian Authority, the recognition will be a major diplomatic victory, bringing the Palestinian people one step closer to full self-determination. Over 147 of the 193 UN member states already recognize a Palestinian state, and the UK’s move, following France’s decision earlier this year, could trigger a domino effect as other key allies like Canada and Australia consider similar actions. The move will also allow for the establishment of a Palestinian embassy in London and for the UK to treat Palestine as a sovereign entity in its diplomatic relations.
While some domestic critics question the timing and the potential for a diplomatic rift with the U.S. and Israel, Starmer and his government appear to believe that a bold and decisive action is necessary to revive the long-stalled peace process. The recognition of a Palestinian state, a move that only a few years ago was considered a distant prospect, is now a reality—a powerful signal that the international community’s patience for a peaceful two-state solution is wearing thin.