Palestine recognition - what you need to know as UK issues ultimatum to Israel

Keir Starmer has issued a stark ultimatum to Israel as UN-backed experts said the "worst-case" scenario of famine is underway.

The Prime Minister announced the UK will recognise the Palestinian state next month unless Benjamin Netanyahu pulls back. And Foreign Secretary David Lammy was applauded at the UN General Assembly as he announced the move after saying Israel's actions had "horrified the world".

The Government has long committed to a two-state solution - but today was the first time it has given a timetable for recognising the Palestinian state. Mr Starmer hit out at a "castastrophic failure of aid" as harrowing data shows children have died of starvation in the wartorn territory.

Israel is accused of a litany of war crimes and pressure has been mounting on Mr Starmer to go further than sanctions announced earlier this year.

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How did we get to this point?

Keir Starmer has faced intense pressure over the last few weeks to shift the government's stance on recognising a Palestinian state.

On the global stage, the Prime Minister was not the first G7 leader to act. The French President Emmanuel Macron announced his intention on Thursday to recognise Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September.

Domestically, pressure was also ratcheting up. The Foreign Affairs Committee - led by the senior Labour MP Emily Thornberry - said Britain must do more to stop the Gaza slaughter and starvation.

Then over 200 MPs from across the Commons - including over 100 Labour MPs - urged him to recognise Palestine in a letter that landed on the PM's desk on Friday. The signatures continued to grow as experts warned famine was unfolding in Gaza.

There were also calls from within the Cabinet for the UK to follow its close ally France amid global horror from the scenes being broadcast. He said it was now the "moment to act" with the UK prepared to recognise Palestine in September alongside France.

But the PM set out key conditions for this to happen, including Israel ending the "appalling situation" in Gaza, agreeing to a ceasefire and reviving the prospect of a two-state solution. It appeared Mr Starmer had been given the green-light by Donald Trump during a meeting at the US President's golf course in Scotland.

"I don't mind him taking a position," Mr Trump had said on Monday. Given Israel's opposition - the country's foreign ministry accused the UK of rewarding Hamas - it appears the UK's recognition of the state of Palestine will happen in September.

And a majority of MPs are likely to be behind it.

What did Keir Starmer say?

In a statement from Downing Street, the Prime Minister said the Palestinian people have "endured terrible suffering" with "catastrophic failure of aid". He added: "We see starving babies, children too weak to stand, images that will stay with us for a lifetime. The suffering must end."

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr Starmer said: "I can confirm the UK will recognise the 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 will be no annexations in the West Bank."

What did David Lammy say?

David Lammy has issued an ultimatum to Benjamin Netanyahu - saying Israel's "drip feeding" of aid to Gaza has "horrified the world".

The Foreign Secretary was applauded at the UN General Secretary as he said the UK would recognise the Palestinian state by September unless Israel acts. In a brief speech in New York he said: "The devastation in Gaza is heartbreaking.

"Children are starving and Israel's drip feeding of aid has horrified the world. These are an affront to the values of the charter of the United Nations."

The Foreign Secretary went on to say Britain "bears a special burden of responsibility" for delivering a two-state solution. He said: "Let me be clear - the Netanyahu government's rejection of a two state solution is wrong. It's wrong morally, and it's wrong strategically. It harms the interests of the Israeli people, closing off the only path to a just and lasting peace, and that is why we are determined to protect the viability of a two-state solution.

"And so it is with the hand of history on our shoulders that His Majesty's Government therefore intends to recognise the state of Palestine when the UN General Assembly gathers in September here in New York."

What steps has the UK already taken?

In May Mr Lammy suspended negotiations between Britain and Israel over a free trade deal. In September it had suspended 30 arms licences amid fears UK-produced weapons could be used in Gaza.

And last month the Government sanctioned two far-right Israeli ministers - Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich - for inciting violence in Palestine.

Speaking to the UN, Mr Lammy said: "We have delivered three sanctions packages on violent settlers, and we suspended trade negotiations with the Israeli government. And we sanctioned far-right Israeli ministers for incitement. Yet, dear friends, the situation on the ground continues to worsen and the two state solution is in peril."

How did the current conflict start?

Hamas terrorists murdered 1,195 Israelis and foreign nationals in a surprise attack on October 7, 2023, with a further 251 people taken hostage.

Of these 28 have been declared dead and 148 returned alive, including eight who were rescued. Israel believes the remainder are still being held in Gaza, and has refused to cease its onslaught until their return.

And what about the blockades?

Israel provoked an international outcry when it imposed a total blockade into the territory for six weeks at the start of the war.

In March all supplies were blocked off again until May, worsening an already devastating humanitarian crisis. Although some supplies have been allowed in since, there has been a desperate shortage, with the UN and aid agencies urgently demanding action.

Earlier this week Netanyahu said a “minimal” amount of aid would be allowed into Gaza. It followed a harrowing warning by the World Food Programme that 90,000 women and children needed treatment for malnutrition.

Israel's military said it had began a “tactical pause” in Gaza City, Deir al-Balah and Muwasi to “increase the scale of humanitarian aid”.

How many people have died in Gaza?

Gaza's health ministry says 60,000 have been killed by Israeli forces and over 145,000 injured, with thousands unaccounted for under the rubble of destroyed buildings.

However experts have previously said the true figure is likely to be far higher. Earlier this year research published in the Lancet medical journal estimated that the true toll was around 40% higher than official records.

Analysists said they believe there had been 64,260 deaths due to traumatic injury by the end of June last year.

And now there's a famine?

Experts have said the "worst-case" scenario is now taking place. At least 16 children below the age of five have died from starvation since July 17, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) said.

It said: "The worst-case scenario of Famine is currently playing out in the Gaza Strip. Conflict and displacement have intensified, and access to food and other essential items and services has plummeted to unprecedented levels."

It continued: "Immediate action must be taken to end the hostilities and allow for unimpeded, large-scale, life-saving humanitarian response. This is the only path to stopping further deaths and catastrophic human suffering."

Allegations of war crimes

Israel denies it is committing genocide in Gaza, but faces allegations of serious war crimes including the starvation of civilians.

Earlier this month the UK and allies from around the world issued a strong condemnation accusing Israel of killing Palestinians seeking aid. An arrest warrant has been issued for Netanyahu at the International Criminal Court.

The enormous civilian death toll and the destruction of entire towns and cities, hospitals, schools and homes give credence to the allegations of war crimes. The use of collective punishments is forbidden under international law.

A statement signed by the UK Government last week said: "The Israeli government's aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity. We condemn the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food. It is horrifying that over 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid.

"The Israeli Government's denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable. Israel must comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law."

What about Hamas?

In a message to Hamas, Mr Lammy said today: "Hamas must never be rewarded for the monstrous attack on October 7. It must immediately release the hostages, agree to an immediate ceasefire, accept it will have no role in governing Gaza and commit to disarmament.

"But Hamas are not the Palestinian people. And there is no contradiction between support for Israel's security and support for Palestinian statehood."

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