UK to formally recognise a Palestinian state after Trump leaves the country

Britain will formally recognise a Palestinian state over the weekend, after Donald Trump completes his state visit to the United Kingdom, according to multiple reports. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has previously signaled he intends to recognise Palestinian statehood ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York later this month if Israel does not meet a series of humanitarian conditions in Gaza. The timing appears aimed at avoiding dominating a Thursday news conference planned with Mr. Trump, a concern raised by reports in major outlets.

Officials familiar with the discussions say the decision would reflect growing international momentum toward Palestinian statehood at the United Nations gathering next week, even as Washington continues to oppose official recognition. Britain would join a bloc of allies weighing similar steps, with France, Australia and Canada signaling plans to take the same route at the UN meeting. The UN gathering promises high-level diplomacy as world leaders weigh responses to the Gaza crisis and consider whether a path to statehood can be reconciled with calls for a ceasefire and a two-state solution.

Domestically, the move has intensified political tension. London Mayor Sadiq Khan, speaking at a public audience, described the situation in Gaza as genocide, saying the images of starving children and a collapsing health system demand attention. His comments add to the pressure on Prime Minister Starmer as he coordinates with international partners during a delicate phase of diplomacy aimed at securing humanitarian relief and a political settlement.

On the international front, a UN commission said there are reasonable grounds to conclude Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza, a finding that underscores the urgency of addressing Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe. The report compounds debates inside Britain about how to balance recognition with the broader goal of advancing a ceasefire and a negotiated two-state outcome. While the British position signals a clear shift, it aligns Britain with other countries pressing for more assertive moves at the UN, even as the United States remains opposed.

Separately, Israel continues its Gaza operations, including a ground offensive that has displaced thousands from Gaza City and surrounding areas. Humanitarian groups warn of worsening shortages of food, water and medical supplies as aid deliveries face restrictions and access concerns persist. The unfolding crisis fuels global contention over the proper mechanism to advance peace, protect civilians and restore stability to the region.

Starmer’s stance traces back to July, when he indicated recognition could come ahead of the UN General Assembly if Israel did not meet a set of conditions. Those conditions—an immediate ceasefire, a credible path to a two-state solution, and an end to West Bank annexation—are cited by officials but remain controversial and unlikely to be met in the near term. The government has sought to frame recognition as part of a broader international effort to reframe the Palestinian question in a way that acknowledges statehood while pressing for humane, sustainable solutions in Gaza and the broader region.

The evolving situation comes as world leaders prepare for the UN summit’s opening sessions next week, with a flurry of diplomacy expected on Gaza, humanitarian access, and the political contours of a future Palestinian state. In Britain, the decision sets up a delicate balance between fulfilling domestic expectations within Labour and navigating a fraught relationship with the United States, which has publicly opposed formal recognition but remains a central ally on many other fronts.