Keir Starmer is facing increasing pressure from within his own party and across Parliament to recognise a Palestinian state, as more than 100 MPs have signed a cross-party letter urging him to take decisive action. The letter, spearheaded by Labour backbencher Sarah Champion, who also chairs the International Development Committee, calls on the Labour leader to act on what signatories describe as a historic British responsibility.
The letter states: “British recognition of Palestine would be particularly powerful given its role as the author of the Balfour Declaration and the former Mandatory Power in Palestine.” It goes on to argue that the UK has supported a two-state solution since 1980, and that formal recognition would give weight and substance to that long-standing position.
This latest intervention comes just weeks after nearly 60 Labour MPs privately urged Foreign Secretary David Lammy and the Foreign Office to immediately recognise Palestinian statehood. The new, public letter signals that dissatisfaction within Labour ranks over the party’s stance is not dissipating.
The move also follows a dramatic shift on the international stage. Late last night, French President Emmanuel Macron announced via social media that France would formally recognise Palestine in September at a UN conference. If it proceeds, France would become the first G7 nation to do so, putting further pressure on the UK to follow suit.
One Labour MP remarked: “They had said they wanted to be in lockstep with allies, but this means that position won’t hold.”
In response, Peter Kyle, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, defended the government’s current approach. Speaking this morning, Kyle stated: “We want Palestinian statehood. We desire it, and we want to make sure the circumstances can exist where that kind of long-term political solution can have the space to evolve and make sure that it can become a permanent circumstance that can bring peace to the entire region.” He added that the immediate priority must be easing the “extreme, unwarranted suffering in Gaza.”
This sentiment was echoed in a late-night statement from Downing Street, which described the situation in Gaza as “unspeakable and indefensible.” However, many Labour backbenchers believe such statements fall short of meaningful action.
Starmer is expected to hold an emergency call with French and German leaders today to discuss the crisis in Gaza, which he has described as a “human catastrophe” that has “reached new depths.”
Despite growing domestic and international calls for change, the Foreign Office reiterated its position, saying it remains committed to recognising a Palestinian state when it would have “the most impact in support of a peace process.” A spokesperson confirmed that the UK continues to provide humanitarian aid and support to the Palestinian Authority but maintains that the conditions for recognition are not yet right.
As diplomatic momentum builds across Europe, Starmer’s refusal to commit to recognition is likely to remain under intense scrutiny from MPs, activists, and the wider public in the weeks ahead.
