British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce the United Kingdom’s recognition of a Palestinian state in a statement on Sunday, part of a wave of 10 Western countries that have committed to taking the step as the UN General Assembly convenes.

In tandem, the British government is also reportedly planning to announce new sanctions on Hamas. The Telegraph newspaper described the penalties on the terror group as an attempt to appease the US, which opposes recognition of Palestine.

The UK’s expected announcement on Sunday is part of a French-led initiative to recognize a State of Palestine, and will come on the same day as similar declarations from Portugal and Australia. Other prominent allies of Israel, including Canada, have signed on, over protests from Jerusalem.

On Sunday morning, the British deputy prime minister acknowledged that affording recognition would not mean a Palestinian state would spring up “overnight,” and called for the resumption of peace negotiations.

On Saturday, a group of 16 relatives of Israeli hostages held by Hamas wrote a letter to Starmer urging him to reconsider his decision to recognize a Palestinian state now. The signatories said the step would make it harder to bring their loved ones home.

“Your regrettable announcement of the UK’s intention to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly has dramatically complicated efforts to bring home our loved ones,” the letter says, according to a copy shared by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum’s British branch.

“Hamas has already celebrated the UK’s decision as a victory and reneged on a ceasefire deal,” the letter continued. “We write to you with a simple........

© The Times of Israel