West turns on Israel: UK follows France, signals recognition of Palestine state, Trump ‘surprised’

The United Kingdom on Wednesday announced its decision to recognise Palestine as a state. Prime Minister Keir Starmer made the announcement days after France said it would declare Palestine as a separate state.

This marks a major shift in the UK’s longstanding position on the issue, as Israel continues to face accusations of engineering famine-like conditions in Gaza.

According to the UK media, Prime Minister Keir Starmer was under pressure after more than 250 MPs signed a cross-party letter, pressing him to make the decision.

“I can confirm the UK will recognise a state of Palestine by the United Nations' General Assembly in September unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire and commit to a long-term sustainable peace, reviving the prospect of a two-state solution. And this includes allowing the UN to restart the supply of aid and making clear that there'll be no annexations in the West Bank,” Starmer said.

The announcement coincides with the three-day conference currently being convened in the United Nations with the goal of recognising the Palestinian government.

The conference, being led by France and Saudi Arabia, began on Monday. It is being co-chaired by 16 other countries and delegations, including the European Union.

Starmer’s announcement came as a surprise to US President Donald Trump, who was in Scotland, where both leaders met earlier this week.

"We never discussed it, surprisingly. It was never really discussed. Maybe a little bit at the news conference, but he was sort of discussing it with you. We never did discuss it. And we have no view on that. We're going to get a lot of money to the area so they can get some food. He's going to, also. I think the European Union is going to put up money too for food. And hopefully, it's going be properly distributed. And it will be. I think it will. I mean, we have. It's a pretty good response on people for the distribution of the food. We want to take it one thing at a time. They need food. And they need people to be able to get them the food," Trump said.

Calls growing to recognise Palestine

While Trump has been reluctant to join his Western allies on the statehood issue, there have been growing calls for recognising the Palestinian government amid the ongoing war on Gaza.

But it raises two important questions. Why is the Palestinian issue gaining ground now, though the statehood demand is over 75 years old. And what purpose will it serve?

Though recognition is just a symbolic step, it is, in effect, a formal and political acknowledgement of the Palestine movement, which seeks a separate state from Israel -- an autonomous government and a clear demarcation of boundaries.

It also allows for the establishment of full diplomatic relations, including embassies and treaties.

Experts say that it is a way of kick-starting a political process towards an eventual two-state solution, which proposes the establishment of two separate and independent states, one for Israelis and the other for Palestinians.

Israel's war on Gaza

Out of the 193 UN member states, about 140 already recognise Palestine as a state. These include China, India and Russia, and a majority of European countries such as Norway, Spain and Sweden.

Though the issue of Palestine statehood is traced back to 1948, the demand has gained prominence globally.

Since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a terrorist attack on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages, Israel has been at war with the militants.

At least 60,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli ground offensive since then.

In its efforts to wipe out the militants, Israel has blocked essential aid— like medicines and food—to the people in Gaza.

Several experts, including the United Nations, have said that the Israeli blockade is leaving millions of Palestinians at risk of starvation and death.

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According to Gaza’s health ministry at least 111, including 80 children, have died of starvation.

Reports of people fainting from hunger on the long-walk towards the few aid distribution points have become commonplace.

As starvation spreads, Israeli killings of civilians have also increased. One person was killed by Israel every 12 minutes in July, making it one of the deadliest months of the Gaza war, an analysis of UN data revealed.

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In light of the deteriorating situation, several countries have been calling on Israel to end the war immediately, and even threatening to recognise the Palestine government.