Sir Keir Starmer's Government is "deeply committed" to recognising a Palestinian state, a member of his Cabinet has said. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds stressed that such a move would have to be meaningful and come as part of a "genuine move towards a two-state solution and a long-term peace settlement" with Israel.
The Prime Minister is under increasing pressure to fulfil Labour's promise to recognise Palestine. Reynolds told LBC Radio: "We are deeply committed to the recognition of Palestine as a state, which was part of our manifesto, but obviously we want that to be meaningful."
Government cites lack of Palestinian unity
Reynolds highlighted current obstacles to recognition, noting there is no political agreement between the two principal Palestinian territories in the West Bank and Gaza. He emphasised the Government wants any recognition to be "meaningful" and coordinated with international partners.
The Business Secretary outlined steps already taken by the Labour Government regarding the conflict. These include sanctioning two Israeli cabinet ministers and ending arms exports to Israel that could be used in the Gaza conflict.
Mayor Khan increases pressure on PM
The Government has also ended talks with Israel on an enhanced trade agreement. Reynolds said: "We have taken those immediate steps. And we do want to see Palestine recognised."
Labour's London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has piled pressure on Sir Keir to "immediately recognise Palestinian statehood". He said the UK "must do far more to pressure the Israeli government to stop this horrific senseless killing", as aid groups have warned of starvation in the Gaza Strip.
Liberal Democrats call for RAF airdrops
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for the Royal Air Force to carry out airdrops of aid into Gaza. He said: "Aid delivered by the air is no substitute for the reopening of supply routes by land."
Davey added: "But the extent of the humanitarian catastrophe we are now witnessing requires us to leave no stone unturned in our efforts to get aid to Gazans." More than 100 organisations, including Doctors Without Borders and Save the Children, have put their names to an open letter warning of the deteriorating situation.
Archbishop condemns Gaza situation
The aid groups said they were watching their own colleagues, as well as the Palestinians they serve, "waste away". The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, labelled the situation in Gaza "a stain on the conscience of the international community".
He said: "With each passing day in Gaza, the violence, starvation and dehumanisation being inflicted on the civilian population by the government of Israel becomes more depraved and unconscionable." Hamas-led militants based in Gaza abducted 251 people in the October 7 attack in 2023 that triggered the war and killed around 1,200 people. Fewer than half of the 50 hostages still in Gaza are believed to be alive.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
