UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has sparked controversy after formally recognising a Palestinian state, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from the families of Israeli hostages, Jewish leaders in the UK, and the Israeli government.
The prime minister announced that recognition could help “revive the hope of peace” and address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “We cannot let the light of peace go out,” Starmer said, insisting the decision was not a “reward” for Hamas, which he described as a “brutal terror organisation” that must have “no future and no role in government.”
The UK joined Canada and Australia in taking the step ahead of a UN General Assembly meeting. However, the decision was met with anger from Israel. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu denounced it as a “huge reward to terrorism,” while the US also reiterated its opposition.
Families of Israeli hostages were particularly critical. Moshe Emilio Lavi, whose brother-in-law Omri Miran remains held in Gaza, accused the UK of handing Hamas “the greatest prize” through “unconditional recognition of statehood.” Mandy Damari, whose British-Israeli daughter Emily was held captive for over 15 months, said Starmer was under a “delusion,” arguing that a two-state solution could never happen while Hamas remained in control.
Jewish groups in the UK voiced similar concerns. The Board of Deputies of British Jews warned the move had “done nothing to advance a ceasefire, free the hostages, stop the suffering of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, or advance long-term peace,” suggesting it may instead embolden Hamas.
Starmer, however, stressed that the humanitarian situation in Gaza had reached “new depths,” citing mass starvation and devastation caused by Israel’s ongoing military assault on Gaza City. He also promised further sanctions against Hamas.
Writing in The Times UK, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the move, saying recognition was necessary to keep alive the possibility of a two-state solution: “It would be easy for faith in a two-state solution to disappear beneath the rubble. That is exactly what extremists on all sides want. But we cannot allow hope to be lost.”
Palestinian leaders welcomed the recognition. President Mahmoud Abbas said it paved the way for Palestinians to live “side by side with the state of Israel in security, peace and good neighbourliness.” Husam Zomlot, head of the Palestinian mission to the UK, described it as a moment of “correcting history.”
UK political reaction was divided. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch warned Britain would “rue the day the decision was made,” while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage claimed it would “do nothing to bring about peace.” By contrast, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey hailed the move as “historic,” urging the government to push harder for a ceasefire and a lasting two-state solution.
Successive UK governments had previously said recognition of Palestine would come only as part of a wider peace process. Starmer accelerated the decision after Israel failed to meet conditions he had set in July: securing a ceasefire in Gaza, committing to a two-state solution, and halting the annexation of the West Bank.
