UK Lawmakers Urge PM Keir Starmer to Recognize Palestine:
Amid Growing Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza, Over 200 British MPs Demand Action.
As the humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorates rapidly, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under intensifying pressure from across the political spectrum to officially recognize the State of Palestine.
More than 200 members of Parliament, including senior Labour and opposition MPs, have signed a letter urging the UK government to take a “moral stand” and support Palestinian statehood.
The appeal comes as the Gaza Strip faces what the United Nations has described as “catastrophic levels of hunger”, with international aid agencies warning that starvation and disease are spreading rapidly among the civilian population.
“It is no longer just a diplomatic issue — it’s a moral imperative,” said MP Zarah Sultana, one of the co-signers. “The British government must stop sitting on the fence and recognize Palestine as a sovereign state.”
The letter accuses the government of maintaining a double standard, offering rhetorical support for peace while refusing to take actionable steps toward a two-state solution.
The lawmakers argue that formal recognition of Palestine would not only uphold the rights of the Palestinian people but also strengthen the UK’s diplomatic credibility in the Middle East.
US Response in Focus:
The call for recognition also places pressure on Washington, where debates around unconditional support for Israel are becoming increasingly polarized.
Some American lawmakers and advocacy groups have welcomed the British MPs’ statement, viewing it as a potential turning point in Western policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“if the UK recognizes Palestine, it could create a domino effect across Europe and the U.S.,” said Dr. Rachel Levin, a Middle East policy analyst at the Brookings Institution.
“It would send a strong message that the West will no longer tolerate indefinite occupation or humanitarian disaster.”
International Momentum Grows:
Countries like Spain, Ireland, and Norway have already taken formal steps to recognize Palestine in 2024.
With over 140 nations now recognizing Palestinian statehood, the UK’s continued hesitation is becoming increasingly isolated.
Meanwhile, protests in London, Manchester, and Glasgow have reignited in recent weeks, demanding the government act urgently to address the situation in Gaza and support Palestinian rights.
With diplomatic, public, and political pressure converging, Keir Starmer now stands at a historic crossroads.
Whether he chooses to align with global opinion or maintain traditional alliances will define not only Britain’s role in the Middle East but its moral standing on the world stage.
Source: Al Jazeera and other media outlets
