Britain is facing fury over recognising a Palestinian state today as Yvette Cooper pleads with Israel not to respond by settling more territory.
The US has joined the backlash at the ‘performative’ move, which has been condemned as a ‘reward’ for Hamas terrorism. Critics also accused Keir Starmer of a desperate effort to avoid being outflanked by pro-Palestine left-wingers including the Greens and Jeremy Corbyn.
The largely symbolic step has been coordinated with Canada, Australia and Portugal, and France is expected to follow suit later.
Ms Cooper, who is attending UN meetings in New York, said the UK had to act to keep hopes of a ‘two-state solution’ alive.
But after an incensed Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to speed up settlement of the West Bank, the Foreign Secretary said: ‘We have been clear, and I have been clear to the Israeli foreign minister, we have been clear to the Israeli government, that they must not do that.’
She told the BBC: ‘We have been clear that this decision that we are taking is about the best way to respect the security for Israel as well as the security for Palestinians.
Yvette Cooper, who is attending UN meetings in New York, said the UK had to act to keep hopes of a ‘ two-state solution’ alive
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, pictured this month, accusing the UK of rewarding Hamas with an ‘enormous prize’
‘It’s about protecting peace and justice and crucially security for the Middle East and we will continue to work with everyone across the region in order to be able to do that.’
The UK will use the UN General Assembly to push for international backing of a framework for peace in the Middle East, following its recognition of a Palestinian state.
Ms Cooper will seek to strengthen ‘the international consensus on our pathway for peace in the Middle East’.
She will hold meetings to advance elements of the plan, including transitional governance and security measures to ensure Hamas has no role in the future governance of Gaza, according to the Foreign Office.
The UK Government has acknowledged that recognising a Palestinian state would not ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza nor contribute to the freeing of the hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 2023.
Mr Netanyahu branded the UK move ‘absurd’ and ‘simply a reward for terrorism’.
‘For years, I have prevented the creation of this terror state despite enormous pressure both domestically and internationally. We have done so with determination and political wisdom,’ he said.
Using the Biblical name for the West Bank, Mr Netanyahu said: ‘We have doubled Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria and we will continue on this path.’
US President Donald Trump said recognition of Palestine was ‘rewarding Hamas’.
A US State Department official said: ‘Our focus remains on serious diplomacy, not performative gestures. Our priorities are clear: the release of the hostages, the security of Israel, and peace and prosperity for the entire region that is only possible free from Hamas.’
Families of hostages held in Gaza called it a ‘betrayal of humanity and a move that rewards Hamas while 48 hostages remain in captivity’.
Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi reportedly hailed the move as a victory for ‘the justice of our cause’.
Hamas claimed victory after Keir Starmer awarded a ‘prize for terrorism’ by recognising a future state of Palestine
In an effort to counter that criticism, Sir Keir Starmer said Hamas was a ‘brutal terror organisation’ and confirmed plans to ratchet up sanctions on the group.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy will represent the UK at the UN General Assembly, along with Ms Cooper and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey criticised Sir Keir’s absence at the summit.
He said: ‘The Prime Minister should not be missing in action from Britain’s historic recognition of Palestinian statehood just because he’s worried about upsetting Donald Trump.’
