Keir Starmer Says UK Recognises Palestinian State

UK Recognises Palestinian State in ‘Historic’ Move, Starmer Says

By Hedgos News International Desk
Date: 21 September 2025
Location: London, UK

In a significant shift of British foreign policy, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Sunday that the United Kingdom will formally recognise the State of Palestine.

What Was Announced

Standing at 10 Downing Street, Starmer declared:

“Today — to revive the hope of peace and a two-state solution — I state clearly … that the United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine. We recognised the State of Israel more than 75 years ago … Today we join over 150 countries who recognise a Palestinian state too.”

He described the move as necessary to keep alive the possibility of a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state. “At the moment, we have neither,” he said.

Background & Rationale

The announcement follows months of mounting pressure from British parliamentarians, civil society and international partners calling for recognition of Palestinian statehood.
Starmer had earlier signalled that recognition would proceed unless major steps were taken by Israel: a cease-fire in Gaza, a clear rejection of annexation in the West Bank, and progress toward a lasting two-state peace.

In his statement, Starmer said the policy change aligns with the government’s manifesto commitment. He emphasised that the recognition is not a reward for the Hamas organisation, which the UK designates a terrorist group, saying any future Palestinian governance must exclude Hamas.

Reactions & Implications

Palestinian Authority: Palestinian officials welcomed the recognition as a “message of hope … to the Palestinian people, a message of hope for a free, independent, sovereign state.”

Israel & Allies: The announcement was strongly criticised by the Israeli government, which labelled it “rewarding terror” and warned it could undermine peace efforts.

Domestic UK Politics: The move signals a recalibration of UK foreign policy on the Middle East and may resonate with public sentiment over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It also comes as Starmer seeks to reaffirm his leadership credentials on the global stage.

Diplomatic Impact: While mostly symbolic — recognition does not immediately change the situation on the ground — it is a landmark shift for a permanent member of the UN Security Council, signalling a stronger stance for Palestinian statehood.

What It Means in Practice

The UK now joins over 150 countries that recognise Palestine as a sovereign state.

The recognition implies that UK-Palestine diplomatic relations could be upgraded, possibly leading to a British diplomatic mission-in-Palestine in due course.

The UK will continue to advocate for a two-state solution: an independent Palestine alongside Israel — emphasising security and viability for both.

The policy doesn’t resolve the underlying conflict: borders, security, refugees, governance and final status remain unresolved and will require negotiations. Starmer acknowledged this.

Risks & Challenges

Recognition may raise expectations among Palestinians for immediate changes, which are unlikely in the short term.

It could deepen tensions with Israel and its close allies, possibly impacting UK-Israel diplomatic and security cooperation.

Without a robust roadmap for peace, symbolic recognition may be criticised as insufficient or even counter-productive.

Implementation details (such as how the UK will define the recognised state’s borders, how to engage with the Palestinian Authority and how to align recognition with security guarantees) remain to be seen.

Conclusion

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s announcement marks a watershed moment in UK foreign policy. By recognising the State of Palestine, the UK aims to inject momentum into a faltering peace process and signal renewed support for a two-state solution. While the change is primarily symbolic, its significance lies in shifting diplomatic terrain — and underscores the UK’s readiness to take independent action in a complex conflict. The real test will now be whether recognition can catalyse meaningful progress toward peace.

Tags: Keir Starmer · United Kingdom · Palestine · Two-State Solution · Israel · Foreign Policy · Middle East
Sources: BBC News, The Guardian, Reuters, Al Jazeera.
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