Badenoch warns Labour over Palestinian state recognition: 'reward for terrorism' amid UK debate

Britain’s main opposition Labour Party is under renewed pressure over a possible recognition of a Palestinian state, a move Prime Ministerial allies say could be seen as rewarding terrorism and would complicate Britain’s relations with Israel. Conservative foreign secretary Kemi Badenoch wrote in The Telegraph that recognizing a Palestinian state at this moment, and without the release of hostages, would be a reward for terrorism—an argument she framed as Labour’s stance drew international attention during a period of escalating turmoil in Gaza.

The comments come as UK officials weigh formal recognition that Labour leader Keir Starmer has signaled could occur at the United Nations General Assembly if Israel does not take substantive steps toward peace in Gaza. The remarks also follow broader regional and international debate about how to proceed in a crisis that has drawn in allies and adversaries alike. Reuters and other outlets have reported that the Times, citing sources, said Starmer intends to recognise a Palestinian state on Sunday, just before the UNGA debate in New York.

Badenoch argued that Labour’s foreign policy is to condemn allies, indulge adversaries, and surrender sovereignty, tagging the proposed move as inconsistent with Britain’s traditional stance on Israel and regional security. She asserted that Labour’s approach would undermine Britain’s ability to press for a ceasefire and humanitarian access, while accusing the opposition of wavering in the face of international bodies and courts.

The Labour leadership has framed the policy as a conditional recognition linked to progress on peace efforts and human rights improvements, a position Labour has said it would implement if Israel fails to take steps toward a two‑state solution at a General Assembly address this September. Starmer argued in July that recognition would be measured against concrete steps toward peace; the party has said it would pursue the policy at the UN gathering if those steps were not achieved. The Times’ report added that the timing of such a move could be set for Sunday, coinciding with the UNGA’s start in New York.

International reaction to a UK recognition move has been mixed. The United States has publicly opposed official recognition of Palestine, even as several allied nations—France, Australia, and Canada, among others—have signaled plans to follow suit at the UN meeting. Officials in London have said Britain would maintain room to influence negotiations with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority, but critics warn that recognition could remove leverage needed to secure the release of hostages and the securing of humanitarian aid corridors.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog warned that recognizing Palestine could be counterproductive, saying it would not help a single hostage and could be misinterpreted by Hamas. The British Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, described the potential move as a historic error and said it would hinder prospects for peace. In parallel, a joint press conference at Chequers featured remarks by Prime Minister and U.S. President Donald Trump, who said he disagreed with recognizing a Palestinian state, though he did not reiterate earlier claims that such recognition would reward Hamas.

Amid the diplomacy, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has continued to deteriorate. Gaza City has faced famine conditions as fighting intensifies, with Israeli operations widening in parts of the territory. The British government has tied any recognition to a lasting ceasefire and reliable aid deliveries, underscoring that such a move would carry significant diplomatic consequences for Britain’s influence in the region.

The UN General Assembly is poised to convene debates next week, with high‑level meetings among world leaders scheduled to begin as countries weigh how to respond to the Gaza crisis and pressure for a durable two‑state solution. The move by Britain, if implemented, would represent a sharp shift in foreign policy and could trigger a broader diplomatic rift among Western allies while shaping the dynamics of the region’s ongoing conflict.

Officials said Labour had been asked for comment but did not immediately respond publicly. As the global community positions itself in the run‑up to the UNGA, Britain’s stance remains a focal point of debate among lawmakers, diplomats, and domestic political observers who warn that policy choices now could influence the trajectory of peace efforts and regional stability for years to come.