Kemi Badenoch has accused Sir Keir Starmer of giving Hamas a “reward for terrorism” by taking the decision to recognise a Palestinian state.
On Wednesday, the Prime Minister announced he would recognise a Palestinian state after US President Donald Trump’s unprecedented second State Visit amid fears the announcement would dominate their joint press conference on Thursday.
Sir Keir’s stance on the issue lies at odds with Mr Trump’s, who previously warned the action would serve to reward Hamas.
During a televised press conference on Thursday, Mr Trump said he has “a disagreement with the Prime Minister on that score” in relation to Gaza.
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.
Mrs Badenoch said: “Most of us want to see a two-state solution to the crisis in the Middle East.
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Kemi Badenoch accused Sir Keir of being 'nice' to hostile foreign powers
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“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.”
Sir Keir plans to recognise Palestinian statehood ahead of the United Nations general assembly in New York this month, if Israel does not meet a series of conditions to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
However, Israel has said it is opposed to Keir Starmer’s ultimatum - including agreeing to a ceasefire, a two-state solution to peace, and halting annexations in the West Bank.
Mr Trump said he 'disagreed with the Prime Minister on that score' in relation to Gaza
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During the press conference on Thursday, Mr Trump said the October 7 attacks on Israel were “one of the worst days in the history of humanity”.
He went on to accuse Palestinian militant group Hamas of “putting the hostages up as bait”, which he described as “pretty brutal”.
Mr Trump insisted he wanted to see the hostages returned, and not in a “piecemeal” fashion.
Pressed on whether he would call for an end to the war if this condition was met, Mr Trump said: “Well, it would certainly help. But I have to have the hostages back.”
Asked why he would not take the step until after Mr Trump’s visit, Sir Keir told journalists: “On the question of recognition, I made my position clear at the end of July, so the timing, it’s got nothing to do with this state visit.”
France, Canada and Japan are among the other nations that have said they plan to take the same step at the summit, or ahead of it.
In today’s exclusive poll for GB News membership readers, an overwhelming majority (98 per cent) of the 1,373 voters think the PM should not recognise a Palestinian state, while just two per cent think he should.