The United Kingdom formally recognised Palestine as a sovereign state on Monday, with Palestinian officials raising their national flag at what is now designated as an embassy in London’s Hammersmith district.
Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian representative who will transition from head of mission to ambassador, led a ceremonial flag-raising that drew attendance from senior British politicians across party lines. Among those present were Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, and SNP leader John Swinney.
“The UK government has finally taken the long overdue step of recognising the state of Palestine,” Zomlot declared at the ceremony, describing it as a “historic moment” and “defiant act of truth.”
The recognition, coordinated with Canada, Australia, and Portugal, represents a largely symbolic diplomatic shift that the UK government says supports the eventual establishment of a two-state solution in the Middle East.
International Backlash
The decision has generated sharp criticism from key allies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the move as “absurd” and “simply a reward for terrorism,” vowing to accelerate Jewish settlement construction in the West Bank in response.
US President Donald Trump echoed this sentiment, characterising the recognition as “rewarding Hamas.” A State Department official dismissed the action as a “performative gesture” rather than “serious diplomacy.”
Families of hostages currently held in Gaza described the UK’s decision as a “betrayal of humanity,” arguing it rewards Hamas while their loved ones remain in captivity.
Government Defence
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, currently attending UN meetings in New York, defended the recognition as necessary to preserve hopes for a peaceful resolution. She emphasised that the decision considers both Israeli and Palestinian security concerns.
“We have been clear that this decision that we are taking is about the best way to respect the security for Israel as well as the security for Palestinians,” Cooper told the BBC.
Middle East minister Hamish Falconer rejected suggestions that the recognition was driven by internal Labour Party politics, despite the party facing electoral pressure from pro-Palestine candidates in recent elections.
Practical Implications
Government officials acknowledge that recognition will not immediately alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza or contribute to hostage releases. The UK plans to use the UN General Assembly to build international support for a comprehensive peace framework that would exclude Hamas from future Gaza governance.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves framed the decision as progress toward the long-held British position supporting a two-state solution, describing it as essential for anyone “who believes in peace.”
The recognition elevates the Palestinian mission’s diplomatic status, though the practical changes remain largely ceremonial at this stage.
Political Context
The decision comes amid ongoing conflict that began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel and the subsequent Israeli military response in Gaza. Critics argue the timing rewards terrorism, while supporters contend it maintains diplomatic pathways toward peace.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy will represent the UK at the UN General Assembly alongside Cooper and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, as the government seeks to build international consensus around its Middle East peace framework.
This story continues to develop as international reactions emerge to the UK’s diplomatic recognition of Palestinian statehood.
