Keir Starmer is struggling to contain Labour splits today after France declared it will recognise Palestine as a state.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he will take the step at the UN General Assembly in September – drawing fury from the US and Israel.
But the PM appeared to play down the prospect of the UK following suit last night, despite huge pressure from his own MPs and even ministers over the increasingly dire scenes in Gaza.
Sir Keir stressed statehood was an ‘inalienable right of the Palestinian people’, but suggested a ceasefire would need to come first and the move would be part of a ‘two-state solution’ with Israel.
The premier will hold talks with Mr Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the situation later.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting urged swift action to recognise Gaza this week after nearly 60 Labour MPs signed a letter earlier this month.
However, other ministers have backed a more cautious approach.
Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said yesterday: ‘We are deeply committed to the recognition of Palestine as a state, that was part of our manifesto, but obviously we want that to be meaningful.’
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch warned Sir Keir not to follow France’s ‘misguided decision’.
She claimed that recognition of Palestine as a state would ‘reward’ Hamas following the terror group’s attacks on Israel – and seizure of hostages – on 7 October 2023.
Keir Starmer is struggling to contain Labour splits today after France declared it will recognise Palestine as a state
Aid agencies have warned Gaza is close to famine, saying 113 people have starved to death in the past week. Pictured, Naima Abu Ful poses for a photo with her two-year-old malnourished child, Yazan, at their home in the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City this week
Emmanuel Macron has announced that he will take the step at the UN General Assembly in September – drawing fury from the US and Israel
Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted a Palestinian state would only be a ‘launch pad’ for more efforts to obliterate Israel
Mrs Badenoch posted on Twitter/X: ‘The US has withdrawn its negotiating team from Qatar after Hamas yet again refused to cooperate during ceasefire talks.
‘There are still 50 hostages remaining in Gaza, brutally taken from their homes on October 7th.
‘The French Government’s decision to unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state in this context, outside any direct negotiations, while hostages are still held, undermines the prospects of a lasting peace and sends a dangerous message to the world.
‘Keir Starmer must assist in seeking a peaceful end to this conflict rather than follow France’s misguided decision to reward the terrorist group that started it.
‘The only path to peace that will see an end to the appalling suffering in Gaza is the complete eradication of Hamas.’
Touring broadcast studios this morning, Technology Secretary Peter Kyle was asked when Palestinian statehood would happen.
‘The timeline for peace and stability and a negotiated solution to the war that’s currently unfolding and ultimately Palestinian statehood is in the gift of Palestine and Israel themselves,’ the Cabinet minister told Times Radio.
‘It cannot be imposed from the outside. But what Britain is doing is using all of its international influence, all of the efforts that can come from partnership, and all of the support that we can give through aid and other kinds of support in order to establish the circumstances where that process can start.
‘I know that this is intensely frustrating, but don’t let’s mix up lots of different issues.
‘At the moment, the primary issue before us is how we get aid into Gaza, how we can bring peace into Gaza, how we can end this war once and for all, so that we can move to the political solution.
‘Statehood is a political act. What we need is food on people’s plates today, and what Keir is doing is working incredibly hard to make sure that we can get the support that will keep Palestinians alive in Gaza today. That is the imperative. That is what we’re pushing for.’
The political focus has been intensified by the emergence of a new left-wing, pro-Gaza party headed by Jeremy Corbyn and fellow former Labour MP Zarah Sultana.
Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted a Palestinian state would only be a ‘launch pad’ for more efforts to obliterate Israel.
Aid agencies have warned Gaza is close to famine, saying 113 people have starved to death in the last week.
Donald Trump has been staunchly supporting Israel during the military campaign after the October massacre by Hamas
Yesterday, news agencies AP, AFP and Reuters said their journalists in Gaza are close to starvation.
Israel has said the claims are ‘cynical’ lies peddled by Hamas as part of a pressure tactic amid the ongoing hostage negotiations.
In his statement last night, Sir Keir said: ‘We are clear that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people.
‘A ceasefire will put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution which guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis.’
He said: ‘The suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza is unspeakable and indefensible.
‘While the situation has been grave for some time, it has reached new depths and continues to worsen. We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe.’
Sir Keir said: ‘I will hold an emergency call with E3 partners tomorrow, where we will discuss what we can do urgently to stop the killing and get people the food they desperately need, while pulling together all the steps necessary to build a lasting peace.’
Mr Macron said last night: ‘True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the state of Palestine.
‘I will make this solemn announcement at the United Nations General Assembly next September.’
A report by the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, chaired by Labour’s Emily Thornberry, said the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, established with US funding, had failed catastrophically and must be replaced with a UN-led system.
It said the organisation had directly contributed to the deaths of hundreds of civilians, citing UN figures showing that 875 people have been killed while seeking food.
