Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
Political correspondent Harry Farley, along with Jessica Rawnsley, reported that Sir Keir Starmer is poised to make an announcement regarding the UK’s recognition of a Palestinian state on Sunday afternoon. This decision comes in light of Israel’s failure to meet certain conditions set by the UK government back in July, which included a ceasefire in Gaza and a commitment to a lasting peace deal conducive to a two-state solution. The move signifies a significant shift in British foreign policy from previous administrations, which held the stance that recognition should occur as part of broader peace negotiations and at a strategically impactful moment.
Despite the anticipated announcement drawing criticism from the Israeli government, hostage families, and elements within the Conservative Party, UK ministers defend the move as a moral obligation to preserve the opportunity for a lasting peace settlement. Citing a substantial deterioration in the situation on the ground, government sources point to distressing scenes of deprivation and violence in Gaza, deemed intolerable by the prime minister. The escalating expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank has also been highlighted as a pivotal factor in the government’s decision to support Palestinian statehood.
The impending acknowledgement of a Palestinian state by the UK has been met with approval by Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas, who visited Sir Keir earlier in the month. Downing Street reiterated the exclusion of Hamas from future governance in Palestine, aligning with Abbas’s stance on the matter. While various political figures, including Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, express desires for a two-state solution in the Middle East, concerns are raised about the timing of the recognition in relation to unresolved hostage situations involving Hamas. President Donald Trump of the US, during his recent state visit to the UK, voiced disagreement with the UK’s direction on this matter.
Additionally, a number of other countries, such as Portugal, France, Canada, and Australia, have declared their intent to recognize a Palestinian state, with Spain, Ireland, and Norway taking similar steps last year. However, the largely symbolic nature of recognition is acknowledged, given that Palestine lacks internationally agreed boundaries, a capital, and a standing army. The longstanding advocacy within the Labour Party for the recognition of a Palestinian state has culminated in increased calls for a firmer stance against Israel from MPs on the left of the political spectrum. The pressure on Sir Keir has intensified with a letter signed by more than half of Labour MPs urging immediate recognition of Palestine preceding his address in July
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.