UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under growing pressure from within his own government and French President Emmanuel Macron to recognise Palestine as a sovereign state, amid worsening conditions in Gaza. Senior ministers—including Wes Streeting, Shabana Mahmood, Hilary Benn, and Lisa Nandy—have reportedly urged Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy to act swiftly. Macron’s recent announcement that France will formally recognise Palestinian statehood at the UN in September has intensified the spotlight on the UK’s stance.
Though Starmer acknowledged that Palestinian statehood is an “inalienable right,” he has yet to commit to a clear timeline, stating that a ceasefire would pave the way for recognition. Meanwhile, Gaza’s humanitarian crisis deepens, with alarming reports of starvation and widespread malnutrition, particularly among children. Despite recent EU-Israel agreements to increase aid flow, groups like Médecins Sans Frontières accuse Israel of failing to deliver. Talks for a Gaza ceasefire also collapsed this week, further complicating matters.
