More than 100 MPs urge Keir Starmer to recognise Palestine
It comes as French president Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday evening that France will officially recognise Palestine as a state in September, while Starmer is set to hold "urgent talks" with France, Germany and Italy later today.
Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer The letter, organised by Labour backbencher Sarah Champion – who is also the chair of Westminster's International Development Committee – said: "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."
It comes as a Labour minister rejected calls for the UK to recognise a Palestinian state immediately while speaking to broadcasters on Friday morning.
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Technology Secretary Peter Kyle insisted Starmer wants sovereignty agreed 'more than anyone' but said the status must be reached as part of a political process.
Kyle said the road to sovereignty was 'in the gift of [[Palestine]] and Israel' through ceasefire negotiations, adding that Britain's immediate focus was on helping to restore aid to Gaza.
'Keir Starmer wants this more than anyone else, but believes it is a crucial step towards delivering the peace and security into the future, and needs to be a negotiated peace within the region itself. It can't be forced,' he told Sky News.
'We want Palestinian statehood. We desire it, and we want to make sure the circumstances can exist where that kind of long-term political solution can have the space to evolve and make sure that it can become a permanent circumstance that can bring peace to the entire region.
'But right now, today, we've got to focus on what will ease the suffering, and it is extreme, unwarranted suffering in Gaza that has to be the priority for us today.'
In a statement on Thursday evening, Starmer condemned the 'unspeakable and indefensible' conditions in [[Gaza]], but stopped short of saying the UK Government would join France in recognising [[Palestine]].
The Prime Minister has faced mounting pressure in recent weeks to officially recognise the state of Palestine, including from his own cabinet.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting called for recognition 'while there's still a state of [[Palestine]] left to recognise'.
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Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the UK Government wants to recognise a Palestinian state 'in contribution to a peace process'.
She told The Times: 'A lot of people would argue that recognition on its own has a symbolic value that could send a strong message to the Israeli government.'
The Foreign Office has maintained it is committed to recognising a Palestinian state, but has expressed a willingness to do so only when it will have the "most impact in support of a peace process".
A spokesperson said: "We continue to provide lifesaving aid to support Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, and to work closely in support of the Palestinian Authority."
A Downing Street spokesperson also confirmed their position on Palestinian statehood remains unchanged.
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