Keir Starmer has confirmed Britain will recognise the state of Palestine in September unless the Israeli government meets four conditions.
The Prime Minister has urged Benjamin Netanyahu to take “substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza”.
Starmer said in a speech Israel must meet four conditions in order for his threat to be revoked.
He said: "The UK will recognise the state of Palestine in September, before UNGA, 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."
Keir Starmer issued Israel with an ultimatum
|POOL
The UK has confirmed it was taking part in airdrops of aid into the territory.
Amid fears recognising a Palestinian state will embolden Hamas, the Prime Minister insisted Britain will not soften its stance on the terror group governing the Gaza strip.
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“We are supporting the US, Egyptian and Qatari efforts to secure a vital ceasefire”, he said.
“That ceasefire must be sustainable and it must lead to a wider peace plan which we’re developing with our international partners.
Hamas began their attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023 | Reuters“This plan will deliver security and proper governance in Gaza. It will pave the way for negotiations to a two-state solution.
“Our goal remains. A safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state, but right now that goal is under pressure like never before.
“I have always said we will recognise a Palestinian state as a contribution to a proper peace process at the moment of maximum impact to a two-state solution.”
Starvation in Gaza has prompted international alarm and Israel announced at the weekend it would suspend fighting in three areas for 10 hours a day and allow open secure routes for aid delivery.
Benjamin Netanyahu has hit out at calls for a two-state solution
| GettyStarmer said that the British public is “revolted” at the scenes of desperation in Gaza as he appeared alongside US President Donald Trump at his Turnberry golf course on Monday.
The President hinted at sticking points in US-led negotiations over a peace deal and took aim at Hamas, saying they had become “very difficult to deal with” in. Recent weeks.
Starmer has been called upon to recognise a Palestinian state immediately.
More than 250 cross-party MPs signed a letter calling for ministers to take the step, up from 221 on Friday.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds on Monday dismissed the idea that there is a split at the top of Government over when to recognise a Palestinian state, saying “we all want it to happen”.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting is among those to have signalled a desire for hastened action, calling for recognition “while there’s still a state of Palestine left to recognise”, while Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the Government wants to recognise a Palestinian state “in contribution to a peace process”.