British PM: Recognition Of The State Of Palestine Is Part Of The Realm Of Peace
JAKARTA - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer insists he is trying to find ways to make peace in the Middle East, with the recognition of the Palestinian state as one of its goals.
"Together with our closest allies, I am working on a way to peace in this region, focusing on practical solutions ... that path will establish concrete steps to turn a much-needed ceasefire into lasting peace. The recognition of the Palestinian state must be one of these steps. I am firm about that," said Starmer in a video speech uploaded on X on Friday, July 25 reported by ANTARA.
A total of 221 British lawmakers from nine different parties wrote an open letter to Starmer urging him to take steps towards Palestinian recognition.
"We wrote this letter before the United Nations Conference chaired jointly by France and Saudi Arabia on July 28-29 in New York, to express our support for Britain's recognition of the Palestinian state. We hope that the results of this conference will be in the form of the British Government which outlines when and how they will act in accordance with its long-term commitment to a two-state solution," read the letter, posted on X by MP Sarah Champion.
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The letter added that although Britain does not have the power to realize independent and free Palestine, British recognition will have a significant impact, so lawmakers ask Starmer to take that step.
On Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron said France would officially recognize the Palestinian state at a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2025.
US Ambassador to France, Charles Kushner, called the decision a "gift to Hamas and a blow to peace," US President Donald Trump said the decision had no effect and had no real impact.
Israeli authority leader Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned Macron's decision.
The Palestinian state is recognized by 147 countries by 2025. By 2024, the United States will veto the full membership of Palestine at the United Nations. In 2024, 10 more countries recognized Palestinian sovereignty, including Ireland, Norway, Spain, and Armenia.