British Prime Minister Starmer said that recognizing Palestine at this time would have the greatest impact, noting that the hope for a two-state solution with a secure Israel and a viable Palestine is at stake. He said it was part of an “eight-point plan” already being discussed with France and Germany.
The United Kingdom has expressed its willingness to recognize Palestine as an independent state. A decision that, for the sake of truth, has wide diplomatic and geopolitical consequences. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has faced pressure from within and outside his party. More than 250 MPs from all parties – over a third of the members of the House of Commons – have signed a joint letter urging him to take the step of recognizing a Palestinian state. Initially, Starmer had opposed the idea, stressing that recognition should be part of a broader plan for peace. But now, he has changed his position, albeit with some conditions attached.
The decision comes shortly after France, the first G7 country to take such a step, officially recognized Palestine as a state. The Paris move subsequently sparked discussions in other Western countries, including Britain.
But what does it mean to recognize Palestine as a state? According to the 1933 Montevideo Convention, a state must meet several criteria to be recognized as a sovereign entity: It must have a permanent population, a defined territory, effective government and international relations, and a formal diplomatic structure (embassies, agreements, ambassadors). As of March 2025, 147 of the 193 UN member states have recognized Palestine as a state. Among them are Russia, China, and India, as well as several European countries such as Spain, Ireland, Norway, and most recently France.
WHY DID STARMER MAKE THE DECISION NOW?!
British Prime Minister Starmer said that recognizing Palestine at this time would have the greatest impact, noting that the hope for a two-state solution with a secure Israel and a viable Palestine is at stake. He said this is part of an “eight-point plan” already being discussed with France and Germany. Starmer denied that the decision was the result of pressure from Labour MPs, insisting that it had always been part of his political plan. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, during a UN summit on the two-state solution, described the situation in Gaza as “horrific” and called for an urgent ceasefire.
WHAT DOES THE TWO-STATE SOLUTION INVOLVE?
This solution envisages the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, giving both peoples separate territory and security. The Palestinians aim to establish their own state in the occupied West Bank, annexed East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, territories occupied by Israel. However, a major obstacle to implementing this solution remains the definition of borders. Since 1967, thousands of Israeli settlements have been built in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, where about 600 Israelis now live.
HOW HAVE ISRAEL AND PALESTINE REACTED?
Israel has strongly condemned this change in British policy. The Israeli Foreign Ministry wrote on the X platform: “This move, following the French decision and under domestic political pressure, constitutes a reward for Hamas and undermines efforts for a ceasefire and the release of hostages.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called the French decision “a springboard for the destruction of Israel, not for peace.” On the other hand, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas thanked President Macron for his “historic” decision.
HOW ARE OTHER COUNTRIES REACTING?
Germany remains committed to a two-state solution, but has not yet recognized Palestine as a state. Berlin has stressed the need for a ceasefire in Gaza and urgent humanitarian aid. Canada and Australia have expressed support for a peaceful solution, but have not taken concrete steps towards recognition. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called the situation in Gaza a “humanitarian catastrophe”. Italy has made any recognition of Palestine conditional on reciprocal recognition of Israel by the Palestinian side. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani declared: “A Palestinian state that does not recognize Israel does not solve anything”.
Meanwhile, Spain, one of the countries that already recognizes Palestine, has welcomed the French decision. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said: “Together we must defend what Netanyahu is trying to destroy. The two-state solution is the only solution.” Saudi Arabia has also welcomed the French decision, calling on other countries to follow suit.