UK Cabinet Urged to Recognize Palestine Amid Gaza Crisis
Ministers Push for Immediate Statehood as International Condemnation Mounts
Pressure is mounting on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to immediately acknowledge Palestine as a state, with senior cabinet members advocating for swift action in response to escalating violence and civilian casualties in Gaza.
Growing Desperation within Labour
Inside the Labour cabinet, a palpable sense of urgency has emerged in recent weeks. Ministers are reportedly distressed by Israel’s actions, particularly the reported killing of starving Palestinian civilians and attacks on humanitarian aid efforts.
“We say that recognising Palestinian statehood is a really important symbol that you can only do once. But if not now, then when?”
—A Cabinet Minister
Earlier this month, a significant bloc of nearly 60 Labour MPs also called for immediate recognition of Palestinian statehood. This push follows Israel’s defence minister’s announcement of plans to relocate Gaza’s population to a camp on the ruins of Rafah.
International Scrutiny Intensifies
Israel faces widespread international condemnation for its operations in Gaza. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the humanitarian lifeline for Gaza’s population is collapsing.
French President Emmanuel Macron, during a recent address to British parliamentarians, reiterated that a two-state solution is the “only way” to achieve regional peace. However, diplomatic sources indicate resistance from allies like the UK and Canada to his proposals.
UK Foreign Secretary’s Stance
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who expressed being “appalled” by reports of Palestinians being shot while seeking food, affirmed the UK’s commitment to facilitating a two-state solution.
“We said we wanted that to be part of a process. But we have had no process. What we have had is mayhem and conflict. There has been no process to attach that recognition to.”
—David Lammy, UK Foreign Secretary, on BBC
“Why do we say that? It’s because we don’t just want to recognise symbolically, we want to recognise as a way of getting to the two states that sadly many are trying to thwart at this point in time.
But there is a live debate and discussion and let me restate again my belief in two states, and two states in which Palestinians have their dignity and freedom and Israel has its security for its people. We will do all we can to achieve that in time.”
—David Lammy, UK Foreign Secretary
Health Secretary Calls for Urgent Recognition
In a notable intervention in the Commons, Health Secretary Wes Streeting urged recognition of Palestine “while there’s still a state of Palestine left to recognise.” He condemned Israel’s “intolerable” attack on a World Health Organization facility in Deir al-Balah, which has severely impacted aid operations.
“I deplore Israel’s attacks on healthcare workers as well as other innocent civilians trying to access healthcare or vital aid. These actions go well beyond legitimate self-defence and undermine the prospects for peace.”
—Wes Streeting, Health Secretary
“I sincerely hope that the international community can come together, as the foreign secretary has been driving towards, to make sure that we see an end of this war but also that we recognise the state of Palestine while there is a state of Palestine left to recognise.”
—Wes Streeting, Health Secretary
Streeting is reportedly among the ministers advocating for recognition in cabinet discussions, alongside Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn. The Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s stance that recognition will occur “at a time most conducive to the prospects of peace.”
The ongoing conflict began after Hamas’s attack on Israel in October 2023. International efforts are underway, including talks in Doha on a US-backed 60-day ceasefire proposal.
The situation in Gaza remains critical, with reports indicating that 77% of Gaza’s population requires humanitarian assistance, a stark reminder of the devastating impact of the conflict (OCHA, 2024).
