UK Still Plans to Recognise Palestinian State, Foreign Secretary David Lammy Confirms
The United Kingdom remains on track to officially recognise a Palestinian state in September, Foreign Secretary David Lammy is set to inform MPs in a Commons statement on Monday. This announcement comes amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East and a lack of progress in meeting conditions laid out by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Lammy will confirm that government officials are preparing to conduct a formal assessment in the coming days to determine whether Israel has complied with the key conditions outlined by Starmer. These conditions, presented earlier this month, were aimed at encouraging Israel to take specific steps regarding its policies and actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
However, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government continuing to take a hardline stance on both Gaza and the West Bank, the UK government is moving forward with plans to recognise Palestinian statehood. A senior UK official commented: “We will assess all the factors relevant to recognition, but as things stand, we’re on a pathway to recognition later in September.”
This development reflects the UK’s commitment to a two-state solution and signals a significant diplomatic shift that could have wide-ranging implications for Middle East peace efforts.
Earlier in August, Starmer set a clear deadline, stating that Britain would recognise Palestine before the United Nations General Assembly convenes on 9 September—unless Israel meets the preconditions aimed at de-escalating the conflict and advancing peace.
As tensions remain high, this move underscores the UK’s intention to play a proactive role in international diplomacy and support for Palestinian statehood, even as challenges persist in achieving lasting peace in the region.
