UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Jonathan Reynolds dismissed concerns that recognising Palestine would reward Hamas, emphasising Labour’s consistent support for a two-state solution.
As reported by The Telegraph, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has insisted that recognising Palestine would not amount to rewarding Hamas.
What did Jonathan Reynolds say about Palestine recognition?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused French President Emmanuel Macron of “rewarding terror” after Mr Macron pledged to recognise Palestine within weeks.
A Cabinet minister on Monday rejected Netanyahu’s stance, asserting that recognising Palestine must be part of any lasting peace agreement.
During an interview on the BBC, Mr Reynolds was questioned over whether recognising Palestine might legitimise Hamas.
He responded,
“No, I think that is not the right way to characterise it. I think we all recognise that both Israelis and Palestinians require a two-state solution. No matter how difficult that is, that requires a state to exist on both sides.”
Mr Reynolds said,
“This conflict has clearly been going on for a very long period of time. But the scale of the horrific scenes we are seeing, we’ve surely got to use this as a moment to move forward on a two-state solution, and that is how we want to use recognition.”
Netanyahu’s views on Macron’s Palestine recognition plan
Emmanuel Macron said recognising Palestine was vital for a “just and lasting” Middle East peace.
In a statement issued shortly after the announcement, Mr Netanyahu declared,
“We strongly condemn President Macron’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state next to Tel Aviv in the wake of the October 7 massacre.”
He said,
“Such a move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became.”
The White House also criticised Mr Macron’s remarks, though President Trump later dismissed them, saying, “It doesn’t matter what Macron says.”
What will Keir Starmer demand from Trump on the Gaza ceasefire?
Prime Minister Keir Starmer will raise the issue of Gaza during Monday’s meeting in Scotland, urging Donald Trump to consider further steps toward ending the ongoing war.
His ceasefire pledge could prompt tensions with the US president, who firmly opposes Palestinian recognition, arguing Hamas rejects peaceful resolution.
The Labour leader is preparing to recall his Cabinet from recess. He has yet to endorse the immediate recognition of Palestine, despite growing calls from senior figures, including Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.
What did Labour’s internal pressure reveal about the Palestine recognition push?
Nearly a third of Labour MPs supported a letter on Friday urging the government to recognise Palestine, a stance openly backed by Ms Rayner.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood have also come out in support of recognising Palestine.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn are among the Cabinet ministers urging swift recognition of Palestine amid the ongoing crisis.
Science Secretary Peter Kyle said he was “deeply, deeply offended” by Israel’s actions and called for Palestine to be fully recognised.
How is Labour facing backlash over Gaza and the ceasefire stance?
Muslim and left-wing voters punished Labour at the polls over its delayed call for a ceasefire following the Oct 7 incident.
Jeremy Corbyn and four other independent MPs won seats in the last election running on a pro-Gaza platform, with Corbyn having previously led Labour.
Mr Corbyn and Zarah Sultana have launched a new left-wing party to challenge Labour, both regularly describing Israel’s actions as “genocide.”
In recent weeks, Mr Starmer’s tone on Israel has become markedly more critical. He pledged that Britain would airlift injured children from Gaza, calling the crisis a “humanitarian catastrophe.”
Emily Thornberry’s views on Trump’s role in the Gaza ceasefire
Labour MP Dame Emily Thornberry said,
“Netanyahu only listens to Trump, and even then only sometimes. But somebody has to talk to the Israelis, and nothing is going to move in this awful situation without him.”
She stated,
“Trump needs to hear that he has the strength of 10 presidents, that only he can get a ceasefire. But it’s high risk for Keir as it could anger him, and it’s not even clear whether it would work. But he has to try; this is the moment it has to be done.”
Ms Thornberry added,
“Trump also needs to hear that allies, including the UK, French and Saudis, are prepared to work together to put together peace proposals, but they will only work if they result in two states: Israel and Palestine.”
What did Kit Malthouse say about Gaza and Western inaction?
Tory MP Kit Malthouse said,
“Every moment of inaction is a deliberate choice. These two leaders hold the power to end the starvation and killings in Gaza, to halt the violence in the West Bank, and to bring the hostages home with a permanent ceasefire.”
She added,
“If they fail to act, history will not only remember the atrocities, it will remember that they had the means to stop them and chose not to.”