Starmer announces UK’s recognition of Palestinian state, ‘to revive the hope of peace’; insists it is ‘not a reward for Hamas’

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces the UK’s recognition of a Palestinian state, minutes after similar announcements from Canada and Australia.

“Today, to revive the hope of peace and a two-state solution, I state clearly as the prime minister of this great country that the United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine,” he says on X.

In his statement, Starmer says the move is part of a process to bring about an end to the conflict in Gaza and help promote a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians — “a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state.”

He says that he meets regularly with British families of hostages. “I see the torture that they endure each and every day.”

“The hostages must be released immediately,” says Starmer. “We will keep on fighting to bring them home.”

“Hamas is a brutal terror organization. Our call for a genuine two-state solution is the exact opposite of their hateful vision,” he says.

Starmer insists that the two-state solution “is not a reward for Hamas, because it means Hamas can have no future, no role in government, no role in security.”

“We have already proscribed and sanctioned Hamas, and we will go further,” he vows. “I have directed work to sanction other Hamas figures in the coming weeks.”

Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a two state solution, the United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine. pic.twitter.com/yrg6Lywc1s

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) September 21, 2025

He says the Israeli escalation in Gaza, settlement building in the West Bank, and Hamas actions are snuffing out hope for a two-state solution.

“The man-made humanitarian crisis in Gaza reaches new depths,” he says.

He says the Israeli government’s “relentless and increasing bombardment of Gaza, the offensive of recent weeks, the starvation and devastation are utterly intolerable. Tens of thousands have been killed, including thousands as they tried to collect food and water. This death and destruction horrifies all of us. It must end.”

The British prime minister says “nowhere near enough aid is getting through” to Gaza, and calls on Israel to “lift the unacceptable restrictions at the border, stop these cruel tactics, and let the aid surge in. With the actions of Hamas, the Israeli government escalating the conflict, and settlement building being accelerated in the West Bank, the hope of a two-state solution is fading. But we cannot let that light go out.

“That is why we are building consensus with leaders in the region and beyond, around our framework for peace,” he says. “This is a practical plan to bring people together behind a common vision and a series of steps, including the reform of the Palestinian Authority, that takes us from a ceasefire in Gaza to negotiations on a two-state solution. We will keep driving this forward.”

He recalls that he set out in July “the terms upon which we would act in line with our manifesto to recognise Palestinian statehood. That moment has now arrived. So today, to revive the hope of peace and a two-state solution, I state clearly, as prime minister of this great country, that the United Kingdom formally recognises the state of Palestine.”

“We recognised the State of Israel, more than 75 years ago, as a homeland for the Jewish people,” he says. “Today, we join over 150 countries who recognise a Palestinian state also — a pledge to the Palestinian and Israeli people that there can be a better future.”

“I know the strength of feeling that this conflict provokes.” He says it’s seen on the streets, in schools, in conversations. “Some have used it to stoke hatred and fear, but that solves nothing.” Rather, he concludes, “we must channel our efforts… behind the peaceful future that we want to see: the release of the hostages, an end to the violence, an end to the suffering, and a shift back to a two-state solution as the best hope for peace and security for all sides.”