UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Labour’s Emily Thornberry urges the UK to officially recognise Palestine as a state before the upcoming United Nations conference.
As reported by The Guardian, a Labour politician said the UK must act now to recognise Palestine, as other Western countries prepare to do so at this month’s international summit.
Emily Thornberry’s stance on a two-state solution
Emily Thornberry, chair of the Commons foreign affairs committee, stated that the war in Gaza will continue without a ceasefire.
Ms Thornberry stated,
“The only way through this is for there to be an Israeli state that is safe and secure, alongside a Palestinian state that is recognised.”
She said,
“We are the two parties to that ancient treaty more than 100 years ago, the secret Sykes-Picot agreement that carved up the Middle East in the first place. I think there is some kind of political significance to those two countries coming together again.”
Responding to a question on Labour’s stance, she said Prime Minister Keir Starmer is committed to recognising Palestine, though the timing remains uncertain.
Ms Thornberry stated,
“If we recognise a Palestinian state, I think we show ourselves to be a country that wants to be involved, that wants to be an honest broker, that wants to be a force for good, and we think a way forward is two states and we’ve always thought that.”
She said,
“Too many people have been killed; there has to be peace. Peace can only be achieved through political conversation, through negotiations. We cannot allow the status quo to continue.”
She also said the UK government should condemn Israel’s West Bank settlements as illegal and penalise those involved through sanctions.
Ms Thornberry urged the UK to work with the US to increase pressure on Israel and support a global political solution.
She added,
“We have been a force for good when it comes to Ukraine, but I do think we should also be saying to President Trump: ‘We need you, you have the power of 100 presidents, you can do what all the other presidents couldn’t do.’ But the Israelis have to come onboard, and they cannot continue just to say no and not have any credible alternative.”
What did the UK Foreign Office say about Palestine?
Officials at the Foreign Office declined to clarify their position. They said recognition of Palestine would come at a time of significant impact, but gave no timeline or further details.
A foreign office spokesperson stated,
“We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state and to doing so when [it] will have most impact in support of a peace process.”
What did Macron say about peace in the Middle East?
French President Emmanuel Macron, during his address to UK parliamentarians, said,
“With Gaza in ruin and the West Bank being attacked on a daily basis, the perspective of a Palestinian state has never been put at risk as it is.”
He said,
“And this is why this solution of the two states and the recognition of the state of Palestine is … the only way to build peace and stability for all in the whole region.”
Mr Macron added,
“Calling today for a ceasefire in Gaza without any condition is telling the rest of the world that for us as Europeans, there is no double standard. As we are attached to human lives, as we are attached to territorial integrity, we want the ceasefire, no discussion.”
UK and France promised to
“work together to support its development and the realisation of a two-state solution.”
David Lammy’s stance on the UK’s role in Palestine
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy highlighted Britain’s historic involvement in Middle Eastern affairs, citing the Balfour Declaration.
He said,
“I would prefer that the United Kingdom is part of a process, particularly if you look at the history, including our relationship with Balfour and the two communities that were effectively brought together at the birth of the Israeli state.”
Mr Lammy added,
“A ceasefire might be the beginning of a process, and I suspect that our French colleagues are also waiting to see whether there is a ceasefire in the next few days. That would be the beginning of something, particularly if it is a permanent ceasefire and not a pause.”
What did MPs urge David Lammy to do about Gaza?
Around 60 MPs wrote a letter to David Lammy to recognise Palestine as a state.
The MPs said,
“It is with great urgency and concern that we are writing to you regarding the Israeli defence minister’s announcement on Monday of his plans to forcibly transfer all Palestinian civilians in Gaza to a camp in the ruined city of Rafah without allowing them to leave.”
They wrote,
“The defence minister’s plans have been described by a leading Israeli human rights lawyer, Michael Sfard, as ‘an operational plan for crimes against humanity. It’s about population transfer to the southern tip of Gaza in preparation for deportation outside the strip.’ Though an accurate description, we believe there is a clearer one. The ethnic cleansing of Gaza.”
The MPs warned,
“By not recognising [Palestine] as a state, we undermine our policy of a two-state solution and set an expectation that the status quo can continue and see the effective erasure and annexation of Palestinian territory.”