Starmer says UK will recognize Palestinian state unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire
Starmer called ministers together for a rare summertime Cabinet meeting to discuss the situation in Gaza.
He told them that Britain will recognize a state of Palestine before the United Nations General Assembly, 'unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, reaches a ceasefire, makes clear there will be no annexation in the West Bank, and commits to a long-term peace process that delivers a two state solution."
Britain has long supported the idea of an independent Palestinian state existing alongside Israel, but has said recognition should come as part of a negotiated two-state solution to the conflict.
Pressure to formally recognize Palestinian statehood has mounted since French President Emmanuel Macron announced that his country will become the first major Western power to recognize a Palestinian state in September.
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Times
32 minutes ago
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Keir Starmer's not the issue. But nor were Johnson, May, Brown…
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Scottish Sun
an hour ago
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Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PALESTINIAN schools teach children to glorify suicide bombers who slaughter Jews, a shocking dossier reveals. Kids are taught to look up to terrorists in classroom textbooks and even learn to add up by calculating how many 'martyrs' have died. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Palestinian schools teach children to glorify suicide bombers who slaughter Jews, a shocking dossier reveals Credit: AFP 2 The PM has defended his decision to set the UK on a course to recognise Palestine Credit: Reuters The Palestinian Authority (PA) - which runs the West Bank - also spends hundreds of millions of pounds a year on a 'Martyrs Fund". This pays monthly salaries to the families of Palestinians who have died or are in jail for carrying out attacks on Israelis. A prisoner's pay increases the longer the jail term. The families of those serving 30 years or more can get up to 3,400 US dollars - the equivalent of £2,500. Read More on World News SUBS SNUB Russia dismisses Trump's warning of sending nuclear subs closer to country The shocking revelations are contained in a dossier shared exclusively with The Sun on Sunday. They will spark fresh criticisms of Sir Keir Starmer's decision to recognise an independent state of Palestine in September unless Israel signs up to a peace process. Michael Rubin, Director of Labour Friends of Israel, backed the creation of a Palestinian state - but said the PA must clean up its act before it can be founded. He said that under leader Mahmoud Abbas the PA is 'authoritarian, riddled with corruption, and commits shocking human rights abuses'. He added: 'The PA must clean up its act if we're going to recognise a Palestinian state. 'We need to tell it to abolish the morally repugnant payment of 'salaries' to terrorists, quit glorifying suicide bombers in schoolkids' books, and stop naming its schools after Nazi collaborators.' Hamas vows no peace unless key demand is met as thugs share sick clip of hostage The PA's South Hebron Directorate of Education posted a photo of a children's book about female suicide bomber Hanadi Jaradat. She killed 21 Israelis and injured over 50 more when she blew herself up at a restaurant in Haifa in 2003. In another shocking example, a grade 5 textbook Palestinian terrorist Dalal al-Mughrabi is celebrated for her heroism. She carried out the 1978 Coastal Road massacre which killed 38 Israelis, including 13 children. Earlier this year, Mr Abbas said he will end payments to the families of Palestinian 'martyrs'. The PM has defended his decision to set the UK on a course to recognise Palestine. Speaking earlier this week, he said: 'We do need to do everything we can to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where we are seeing the children and babies starving for want of aid which could be delivered. 'That is why I've said unless things materially change on the ground, we'll have to assess this in September, we will recognise Palestine before the United Nations general assembly in September.'
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
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