Labour intends to press on with its manifesto pledge of recognising a Palestinian state, GB News understands, despite a new poll revealing just 13 per cent of Britons back the move.
Ahead of the 2024 General Election, the Labour Party manifesto stated that if elected, it would commit to recognising a Palestinian state “as a contribution to a renewed peace process which results in a two-state solution”.
A year into power, Sir Keir Starmer reaffirmed this commitment, telling the public that “the UK will recognise the state of Palestine by the United Nations General Assembly in September” in a bid to apply pressure on Israel and end the conflict.
As part of the plan to apply pressure, the Prime Minister demanded that “the Israeli government take substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire and commit to a long-term, sustainable peace”.
Now, almost three months later, GB News understands that Sir Keir will recognise a Palestinian state on Sunday after Israel failed to meet the UK’s demands.
Sir Keir’s hope is that by recognising a Palestinian state, a Two State Solution can be realised, which would allow the UN to restart the supply of aid and prevent annexations in the West Bank.
On Hamas, the Prime Minister has made clear that the terror group must release all the hostages, sign up to a ceasefire, disarm and accept that they will play no part in the government of Gaza.
The People’s Channel understands that because these actions were not taken in the last three months, the Government will set out the next steps on sanctions for Hamas in the coming days.
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GB News understands that Sir Keir will recognise a Palestinian state on Sunday
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Despite the Prime Minister’s claim that a Palestinian state is “what the British people desperately want to see”, a new poll by JL Partners found almost 90 per cent of the population disagrees with Sir Keir’s decision.
The poll, which asked a representative sample of 2,118 UK adults between August 19-31 about which conditions should be met before the UK recognises Palestine, found 87 per cent oppose recognition without any conditions.
A thin majority of 51 per cent also opposes recognition while Hamas is still in control of the region and has not released any hostages.
James Johnson, co-founder of JL Partners, said the poll revealed a “disconnect” between the public and Sir Keir.
Despite hundreds of protesters gathering in London every weekend, just one in 10 Britons supports recognising a Palestinian state without conditions
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“Only 13 per cent say the UK should recognise Palestine without any conditions,” he said.
“Among Labour’s own voters, that is just 11 per cent – barely more than one in 10.
“And for those crucial voters that have defected from the Labour Party to Reform or could consider doing so, the equivalent number is a tiny eight per cent.
“The median view of the British public is that recognition must come with conditions – namely a mutually agreed ceasefire and the release of the hostages.”
On Saturday, Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch accused Sir Keir of giving Hamas a “reward for terrorism” by committing to recognising a Palestinian state.
Mrs Badenoch, writing in The Telegraph, condemned the Government’s decision to apply pressure on Israel for a ceasefire in Gaza.
She explained that her Conservative Party would “never apologise for standing by Israel when it strikes back against terrorism”.
She continued by accusing Sir Keir of being “nice” to hostile foreign powers.
Donald Trump said he 'disagreed with the Prime Minister on that score' in relation to recognising a Palestinian state
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Mrs Badenoch said: “Most of us want to see a two-state solution to the crisis in the Middle East.
“But it is obvious, and the US has been clear on this, that recognition of a Palestinian state at this time and without the release of the hostages, would be a reward for terrorism.
“Yet Keir Starmer plans to do just that as President Trump leaves.”
It is understood that Sir Keir’s decision to delay his announcement on Palestine until after US President Donald Trump’s second State Visit was made so as not to dominate their joint press conference.
However, when asked about the situation during the televised event, Mr Trump said he “disagreed with the Prime Minister on that score” in relation to recognising a Palestinian State.