UK recognises Palestinian state as international response ranges from cautious optimism to warnings

LONDON — The United Kingdom formally recognised a Palestinian state on Friday in a move coordinated with Australia and Canada, a shift announced by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer at his party’s conference amid a deepening humanitarian and security crisis in Gaza. The decision marks a significant change in British diplomacy after years of cautious support for a two-state framework and follows Israeli concerns about security and settlement activity.

The move comes after Israel did not meet conditions previously set by Western allies in July, according to British officials. Starmer said recognition is not a reward for Hamas, a proscribed organization in the UK, but an effort to revive the hope of a two-state solution and to push forward negotiations toward a lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians. In a collision of emotions over the release of hostages and the ongoing war, Mandy Damari, whose daughter Emily Damari was held for 15 months after being abducted during the 7 October attacks, criticized the decision, saying the UK should not reward Hamas while hostages remain unreturned and the conflict continues. Damari, whose daughter was injured in the kidnapping, has previously spoken of the personal cost of the conflict and argued that recognition could undermine prospects for a future peace. Emily Damari’s story — captured by her mother and others in the public narrative surrounding the hostage crisis — underscores the human dimension of the political debate.

In announcing the move, British officials said the decision aligns with a broader Western stance and with international efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where fighting and displacement have intensified in recent weeks. Israel’s latest ground operation in Gaza City, described by a UN official as cataclysmic, has forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes. The humanitarian emergency has deepened as Israel presses ahead with settlements in the West Bank, complicating efforts to sustain momentum toward a negotiated two-state outcome. While the two-state framework remains internationally backed, its viability appears starker to many observers given the current security environment and governance in Gaza.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the decision, saying recognition could help pave the path for the state of Palestine to live side by side with Israel in security and peace. Husam Zumlot, the Palestinian Authority’s representative to the United Kingdom, called for concrete follow-through, insisting that recognition must be matched by action that advances rights and security for Palestinians. In Gaza, public sentiment toward European recognition ranged from cautious optimism to skepticism, with locals like Mohammad Hasib describing the gesture as a potential step forward and hoping that other European states would also follow suit to recognize a Palestinian state in due course.

Israel rejected the move, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying a Palestinian state will not happen. Israeli officials characterized recognition as a reward for Hamas and warned that it could undermine regional security. Israel’s foreign ministry echoed the sentiment, stating that recognition amounts to a reward for jihadist Hamas and would likely complicate efforts to secure the release of hostages and access to humanitarian aid. The public stance from Jerusalem underscored the narrowing space for progress toward a negotiated settlement amid ongoing violence and political discord in the region.

In London, the decision prompted a swift wave of domestic political reaction. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the recognition a disastrous misstep, arguing that it rewards terrorism and would do nothing to bring hostages home or relieve civilians suffering in Gaza. By contrast, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey welcomed the move, saying it marked a historic step toward Palestinian self-determination while stressing that it must be part of a broader strategy to alleviate humanitarian suffering and advance a viable peace process. Green Party MP Ellie Chowns said the move was long overdue and a vital recognition of Palestinian dignity and rights, while urging the government to pursue arms-control measures and a reassessment of ties to settlements. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage argued that recognizing a Palestinian state was the wrong course and would not advance peace.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum UK, which represents relatives of British-linked captives, condemned the decision as會 a risky move that could embolden Hamas. The group said the move might be celebrated by Hamas and could hinder ceasefire talks and humanitarian access. The forum’s reaction reflected broad concerns among families who continue to press for the safe return of captives and the protection of civilians.

The decision also has a deeply personal resonance for families affected by the conflict. Emily Damari’s release in January after 15 months in captivity has been cited by supporters of recognition as proof of the imperatives of diplomacy in pursuit of peace. Her mother’s public remarks, however, reflect the fear that political gestures without tangible conditions could complicate hostage negotiations and erode the prospects for a durable ceasefire.

The international response to the UK move has been cautious and nuanced. Australia and Canada described the step as part of a broader effort to advance peace and security in the region, while indicating that recognition should accompany commitments to humanitarian relief, accountability for violence, and pathways to statehood that respect the security needs of Israel and Palestinian rights. Observers noted that formal recognition is a political milestone, but not a solution in itself; the path forward remains contingent on practical steps to ease civilian suffering, curb settlement activity, and restart negotiations that can deliver a viable, independent Palestinian state and a secure Israel.

The episode highlights the enduring divisions over the two-state framework and the way foreign capitals balance political symbolism with immediate humanitarian concerns. For Palestinians, the move is perceived by some as a meaningful affirmation of rights and dignity, while others warn that it could inflame tensions if not matched by progress on security and governance. For Israelis, the decision is viewed as a provocation that could complicate security calculations and hostage negotiations. For the British government and its allies, the challenge is to translate a symbolic gesture into a pragmatic, credible path toward peace that protects civilians, preserves regional stability, and preserves the possibility of a two-state solution after years of conflict and upheaval.

In the broader timeline, the incident that sparked this debate — the 7 October attacks and the resulting hostage crisis — continues to shape political calculations in capitals around the world. Emily Damari’s case, along with those of other hostages, is frequently cited by supporters of recognition as a reminder of the human stakes involved in the peace process, while critics emphasize the need for secure releases and resisting steps that could enable further violence. As the situation in Gaza remains volatile and civilians bear the brunt of fighting, policymakers face a difficult balance between signaling support for Palestinian statehood and maintaining the conditions necessary for a durable peace.

The world will watch closely as more states weigh similar moves and as international institutions push for a renewed, credible framework for addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Whether recognition translates into real momentum for talks that produce a viable two-state outcome remains an open question, but for many observers the UK decision represents a meaningful shift in the diplomatic landscape that will shape the region’s trajectory for years to come.