Israel Condemns UK’s Planned Recognition of Palestinian State, Accuses London of Undermining Ceasefire Efforts
Israel rejects UK's threat to recognize Palestine by September unless Gaza war ends, calling it a 'reward for Hamas.' Starmer demands ceasefire & two-state progress, while Israel insists move undermines hostage talks. Diplomatic rift deepens ahead of UN session.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Israel has firmly rejected a statement by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declaring that the United Kingdom will move to officially recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel implements substantive steps to end the war in Gaza.
In a strongly worded response posted Tuesday on X, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said, “Israel rejects the statement by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom,” describing the move as a reward for Hamas and a blow to international efforts to achieve a ceasefire and secure the release of Israeli hostages.
Israeli officials condemned the British government’s policy shift, which follows a similar move by France and comes amid what they described as mounting domestic political pressures in Europe.
“This constitutes a reward for Hamas and harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of hostages,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry said.
Israel rejects the statement by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) July 29, 2025
The shift in the British government’s position at this time, following the French move and internal political pressures, constitutes a reward for Hamas and harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and… pic.twitter.com/CG2tueCYRe
London threatens recognition deadline
Prime Minister Keir Starmer's announcement came during an emergency Downing Street address after he recalled his cabinet from recess to discuss the deteriorating humanitarian and political situation in Gaza. Starmer declared that unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire and takes other concrete steps before the United Nations General Assembly convenes in September, the UK will formally recognize a Palestinian state.
He outlined specific conditions: Israel must end the “appalling situation in Gaza,” agree to a ceasefire, and commit to reviving the long-stalled two-state solution aimed at achieving lasting peace.
"I've always said we will recognize a Palestinian state as a contribution to a proper peace process, at the moment of maximum impact for the two-state solution," Starmer said. "With that solution now under threat, this is the moment to act."
The UK Prime Minister also directed a set of demands at Hamas, the Palestinian group that launched a deadly cross-border attack into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Starmer insisted that Hamas must immediately release all hostages, agree to a ceasefire, disarm, and commit to playing no future role in governing Gaza.
While the UK government said the recognition of a Palestinian state would be contingent on both Israeli and Palestinian steps toward peace, Israel’s rejection underscores deepening rifts between Western allies over the path forward in the region.
The escalating diplomatic row comes as international calls grow louder for a negotiated end to the Gaza conflict, with mounting pressure on both Hamas and Israel to act before the UN’s September session.
