The British government on Wednesday firmly rejected accusations that its plan to recognise a Palestinian state rewards the militant group Hamas, saying the initiative is a humanitarian and diplomatic step aimed at securing peace and addressing the worsening crisis in Gaza.
The controversy follows Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s announcement on Tuesday that Britain would move to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September unless Israel takes significant steps to ease humanitarian conditions in Gaza, commit to a peace process, and abandon plans to annex parts of the West Bank.
Starmer’s ultimatum was met with immediate backlash from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who claimed it effectively rewarded Hamas and punished Israeli victims of the group’s 2023 cross-border attack. US President Donald Trump echoed that sentiment, stating, “I don’t think Hamas should be rewarded” with recognition of Palestinian independence.
Responding to the criticism during a series of media interviews, British Transport Minister Heidi Alexander clarified the government’s stance.
“This is not a reward for Hamas. Hamas is a vile terrorist organisation that has committed appalling atrocities. This is about the Palestinian people. It’s about those children that we see in Gaza who are starving to death,” Alexander told LBC radio. “We’ve got to ratchet up pressure on the Israeli government to lift the restrictions to get aid back into Gaza.”
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has worsened dramatically, with recent images of severely malnourished children drawing global outrage. A hunger monitor on Tuesday warned that a worst-case famine scenario was unfolding, urging immediate intervention to prevent mass casualties.
Starmer’s position marks a notable shift from previous UK governments, which have long maintained that recognition of Palestinian statehood would come when it was most “effective.” In his televised address, the prime minister argued that the time for action had now arrived, warning that the window for a viable two-state solution is rapidly closing.
“This is about securing peace — about ensuring Israel’s security while recognising the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people,” Starmer said.
The UK joins France, which also announced plans last week to recognise Palestinian statehood in September.
Under Starmer’s plan, Britain will proceed with recognition unless Israel allows significantly more humanitarian aid into Gaza, guarantees no further annexation of West Bank territory, and makes a firm commitment to a two-state peace process.
As diplomatic tensions rise, Britain’s proposal has set the stage for a critical turning point in international efforts to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict, placing mounting pressure on Israel to act swiftly or risk a major geopolitical shift.
Melissa Enoch
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