Sir Keir Starmer's Government is "deeply committed" to recognising a Palestinian state, a Cabinet minister has declared. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds stressed that such recognition would need to be meaningful and form part of a genuine two-state solution with Israel.
The Prime Minister faces mounting pressure to deliver on Labour's manifesto promise to recognise Palestine. Reynolds told LBC Radio that the Government wants any recognition to have real impact rather than being merely symbolic.
No Palestinian state exists currently
"At the minute, there is not a Palestinian state there," Reynolds explained. "There is no political agreement between the two principal Palestinian territories in the West Bank and Gaza."
The Government has already taken several steps regarding the Gaza conflict. Reynolds highlighted sanctions against two Israeli cabinet ministers and the ending of arms exports to Israel that could be used in Gaza.
Trade talks suspended with Israel
Britain has also suspended talks with Israel on an enhanced trade agreement. Reynolds emphasised the Government's desire to work with international partners on meaningful Palestinian recognition.
Labour's London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has intensified pressure on Starmer to "immediately recognise Palestinian statehood". Khan argued that Britain "must do far more to pressure the Israeli government to stop this horrific senseless killing".
Aid groups warn of starvation
More than 100 organisations, including Doctors Without Borders and Save the Children, have signed an open letter warning of starvation in Gaza. The groups said they were watching their own colleagues and the Palestinians they serve "waste away".
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, described the Gaza situation as "a stain on the conscience of the international community". He condemned the "violence, starvation and dehumanisation being inflicted on the civilian population by the government of Israel" as increasingly "depraved and unconscionable".
War triggered by October attack
The conflict began after Hamas-led militants abducted 251 people in their October 7, 2023 attack that killed around 1,200 people. Fewer than half of the 50 hostages still believed to be in Gaza are thought to be alive.
(PA/London) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
