PM Starmer Affirms Recognition Of Palestinian Countries Cannot Be Disfected, President Abbas Is Ready To Cooperate

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. (Wikimedia Commons/Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street 3)

JAKARTA - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated his support for the recognition of the Palestinian State, as he spoke with President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday.

Sir Starmer occupied the prime ministerial position last Friday, after his supporting Labor Party won the British elections by beating the Conservative Party.

Discussing the importance of reform, and ensuring international legitimacy for Palestine, PM Starmer said his long-standing policy of acknowledgment to contribute to the peace process has not changed, asserting it is an undeniable right of Palestinians.

"The prime minister said he was pleased to speak with President Abbas at the beginning of his term of office, given the various pressing issues in the region, the ongoing suffering, and the loss of many lives in Gaza," a Downing Street spokesman said. July 8th.

"The Prime Minister informed President Abbas of its top priorities, including securing a ceasefire, repatriating hostages, increasing and accelerating humanitarian aid and financial support for the Palestinian Authority.

"Discussing the importance of reform, and ensuring international legitimacy for Palestine, the Prime Minister said his long-standing policy of recognition to contribute to the peace process has not changed, and it is an undeniable right of Palestinians," he said.

Meanwhile, President Abbas expressed his belief that the formation of a new British government would contribute to increasing the bond of friendship and mutual cooperation between the two countries and friendly communities, quoted from WAFA.

President Abbas also briefed the Prime Minister of Starmer on the latest developments in the Palestinian territories, stressing the need for urgent international efforts to reach a ceasefire, sending humanitarian aid, withdrawing Israeli occupation troops from all over Gaza, and releasing Palestinian tax funds held by Israel.

In addition, Abbas also emphasized his readiness to cooperate with PM Starmer to achieve peace through two-state solutions based on international legitimacy, stressing the importance of Britain recognizing the Palestinian State.

Earlier, Sir Starmer said in May he planned to recognize the Palestinian State if he won the British elections, although he said at that time, the move had to be taken at the right time in the peace process.

The Labor Party has been hit by an internal dispute over its policy of war in Gaza since the Hamas attack on October 7 which led to an Israeli invasion.

Starmer has faced criticism from some of the traditional Labor Party voters for only gradually changing the party's position to support the ceasefire in Gaza.

The party's stance resulted in the party's 10 senior lawmakers resigning from their policy roles and being blamed for some disappointing results in local elections this month in several areas with a large Muslim population.

When asked if he thought Palestine should be a country, Starmer told the BBC: "Yes, I agree, and I think Palestinian recognition is very important. We need a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel that is safe and protected, and recognition should be a part of it."

Starmer said the Palestinian state recognition should come at the right time in the peace process, but "I truly believe in it", arguing that a two-state solution is critical to the region's eternal peace.