MORE ON THIS TOPIC

Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at the future of Palestinian statehood, deadly flooding across China, and Russian strikes on Ukrainian civilian targets.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday that the United Kingdom will recognize an independent Palestinian state beginning in September unless Israel takes “substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza and commits to a long-term sustainable peace.” This would include Israel agreeing to a cease-fire deal with Hamas, allowing the United Nations to deliver humanitarian aid into Gaza unimpeded, and vowing not to annex the West Bank.

Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at the future of Palestinian statehood, deadly flooding across China, and Russian strikes on Ukrainian civilian targets.

By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.

✓ Signed Up

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday that the United Kingdom will recognize an independent Palestinian state beginning in September unless Israel takes “substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza and commits to a long-term sustainable peace.” This would include Israel agreeing to a cease-fire deal with Hamas, allowing the United Nations to deliver humanitarian aid into Gaza unimpeded, and vowing not to annex the West Bank.

“I’ve always said that we will recognize a Palestinian state as a contribution to a proper peace process at the moment of maximum impact for the two-state solution,” Starmer said outside Downing Street. “With that solution now under threat, this is the moment to act.”

The United Kingdom is the second major European country to announce such an intention this month. Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron said Paris would recognize the state of Palestine beginning in September.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry criticized the U.K. announcement, calling it a “reward for Hamas.” “The shift in the British government’s position at this time, following the French move and internal political pressures, constitutes a reward for Hamas and harms efforts to achieve a cease-fire in Gaza and a framework for the release of hostages,” the ministry said in a statement.

The U.K. announcement comes as dozens of foreign ministers convene in New York City for a multiday U.N. conference sponsored by France and Saudi Arabia that is aimed at advancing the implementation of a two-state solution to the........

© Foreign Policy