More than a century after the Balfour Declaration pledged support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine, Britain is poised to formally recognise a Palestinian state, marking a dramatic foreign policy shift with far reaching implications.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to make the announcement on Sunday, just days before the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly convenes in New York, where Palestinian sovereignty is set to dominate debate.
The move follows months of internal deliberation. In July, ministers suggested recognition would be withheld until a “moment of maximum impact.” Yet the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Israel continues its military offensive, has hastened London’s timetable.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy stressed that recognition would not “bring a state into existence overnight,” describing the step as an effort to preserve the two state solution. “We must keep alive the prospect of peace, even when it feels distant,” he said.
The decision has divided Britain’s political class. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch warned recognition without conditions would “reward terrorism,” urging London to act in lockstep with Washington and Tel Aviv.
Families of Israeli hostages in Gaza echoed this sentiment, warning that Starmer’s move risked complicating negotiations for the release of their loved ones.
The White House remains firmly opposed. During a state visit to London last week, US President Donald Trump bluntly told Starmer that recognition would undermine Israel’s security and embolden Hamas.
Palestinian officials, however, hailed the announcement as historic. Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin said it was “a message of hope” for a sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. She accused Israel of a “systematic assault on humanity” aimed at erasing Palestinian identity.
With Britain’s decision, 148 UN member states will now recognise Palestinian sovereignty, including Spain, Ireland, Norway, and soon Portugal and France. The United States and Germany remain outliers among major powers, insisting conditions are not yet ripe.
