UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Scottish Labour MSPs, including deputy leader Jackie Baillie, have urged PM Sir Keir Starmer to swiftly recognise Palestine amid Gaza’s worsening crisis.
As reported by Sky News, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and all party MSPs have urged Sir Keir Starmer to immediately recognise Palestine as a state.
Scottish Labour MSPs’ letter to Keir Starmer
Twenty-one Scottish Labour MSPs, among them deputy leader Jackie Baillie, have signed a joint statement urging the PM to recognise Palestine.
They said,
“Our position is clear and longstanding. The UK should recognise the State of Palestine, to uphold Labour’s manifesto commitment and to preserve the two-state solution. In the face of mass atrocities in Gaza and accelerated annexation of the West Bank, the demand for action is immediate and indisputable. This is an existential moment for the Palestinian people.”
They added,
“Recognition is not about rewarding Hamas, who need to immediately release all hostages and play no further role in Gaza. Recognition makes clear the Palestinian Authority’s de jure administration of Gaza and sets out a path to move towards de facto control in the nearest possible future.”
The MSPs stated,
“State recognition must be the first step – not the end goal – of a peace process that has been deferred for far too long. It should allow two equal sides to negotiate peace, security, prosperity and equal rights for all. The Arab Peace Initiative outlined a comprehensive plan that can guarantee security, recognition and bilateral relations, with the full support of the region. We urge the British government to take this step, which would be backed by a majority of the Labour movement.”
A cross-party group of 221 MPs, led by senior Labour MP Sarah Champion, has called on the prime minister to recognise Palestine in a joint letter.
They wrote a letter to Foreign Secretary David Lammy, stating,
“Whilst we appreciate the UK does not have it in its power to bring about a free and independent Palestine, UK recognition would have a significant impact due to our historic connections and our membership on the UN Security Council.”
They added,
“British recognition of Palestine would be particularly powerful given its role as the author of the Balfour Declaration and the former Mandatory Power in Palestine. Since 1980, we have backed a two-state solution. Such a recognition would give that position substance as well as living up to a historic responsibility we have to the people under that mandate.”
What did Anas Sarwar say about the Gaza crisis and Palestine?
Anas Sarwar stated, ‘
“I have long supported the immediate recognition of the state of Palestine and continue to do so.”
He said,
“But whilst pressing for that, we must see the end of the war right now. What we’re seeing on our screens and in our social media feeds is intolerable, unjustifiable and heartbreaking – the mass starvation of a population, the innocent killing of innocent civilians and the destruction of infrastructure.”
Mr Sarwar added,
“That’s why we need an immediate ceasefire, we need the free flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, we need to see the end of illegal occupation and the pathway to a two-state solution.”
What did Keir Starmer say about recognising Palestine?
Keir Starmer has declined growing calls from MPs to recognise Palestine as a state.
In a statement, he said,
“Alongside our closest allies, I am working on a pathway to peace in the region, focused on the practical solutions that will make a real difference to the lives of those who are suffering in this war.”
Mr Starmer added,
“That pathway will set out the concrete steps needed to turn the ceasefire so desperately needed, into a lasting peace. Recognition of a Palestinian state has to be one of those steps. I am unequivocal about that. But it must be part of a wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution and lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis. This is the way to ensure it is a tool of maximum utility to improve the lives of those who are suffering – which of course, will always be our ultimate goal.”
What did Sarah Champion say about recognising Palestine?
Sarah Champion said,
“We need to be doing something now to recognise the State of Palestine alongside, it must be added, 144 other nations that have all recognised the State of Palestine. We have a historic relationship with the region alongside France.”
She stated,
“France has now come out and said that it will be recognised. Why are we not supporting our neighbour?”
Ms Champion questioned why Britain isn’t backing its neighbouring nation, as France pledged to recognise Palestine.
She added,
“There are more and more MPs across the House that are urging the government to do this; this is democracy.”
What did Peter Kyle say about recognising Palestine?
Science Secretary Peter Kyle said he backs recognising Palestine as a state, urging urgent action from Keir Starmer.
He said,
“I hope people are sensing frustration in my voice. This should have happened a long time ago. Part of the challenges we’ve had have come from elements within Palestine itself, and elements within Israel.”
Mr Kyle added,
“I’m one of the Cabinet ministers who desperately want Palestine to be recognised as a state as part of a process that leads to the peace and stability that we need for Israel and Palestine and the entire region.”
Which nations have recognised Palestine as a state?
EU member states (recognised before or after joining):
- Sweden
- Slovenia
- Ireland
- Spain
- Bulgaria
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Hungary
- Romania
- Poland
- Slovakia
G20 countries:
- Argentina
- Brazil
- China
- India
- Indonesia
- Mexico
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- South Africa
- Turkey