British-Israeli ex hostage 'deeply saddened' by UK plan to recognise Palestinian state
The British-Israeli former hostage Emily Damari has said she feels "deeply saddened" by the UK's announcement on Tuesday that it will recognise the state of Palestine by September, if Israel does not take steps to end the conflict.
Posting on X, Damari wrote: "As a Dual British-Israeli citizen who survived 471 days in Hamas captivity, I am deeply saddened by your decision Keir Starmer to recognise Palestinian statehood.
"This move does not advance peace—it risks rewarding terror. It sends a dangerous message: that violence earns legitimacy."
She continued: "Recognition under these conditions emboldens extremists and undermines any hope for genuine peace.
"Shame on you."
Adam Rose, a Partner at the law firm Mishcon de Reya, represented seven families of the ten people taken hostage by Hamas with ties to the UK.
Writing today, he said: "British hostage families are deeply concerned that hostages have been made a bargaining chip by the UK.
"We are concerned that the UK's proposal risks delaying the release of the hostages. This is because the UK has said that it will recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel agrees a ceasefire.
"But the risk is that Hamas will continue to refuse to a ceasefire because if it agrees to one this would make UK recognition less likely."
Speaking to ITV News, Rose clarified: "If Hamas don't release the hostages, Israel is less likely to agree a ceasefire. If Israel doesn't agree a ceasefire, the UK position appears to be they will recognise the state of Palestine."
Announcing the UK's intention on Tuesday, Starmer set certain conditions Israel would need to meet to prevent the UK recognising the state of Palestine.
Speaking to press, he said: "The UK will recognise the state of Palestine by the United Nations general assembly in September, unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire, and commit to a long term sustainable peace - reviving the prospect of a two-state solution.
"This includes allowing the UN to restart the supply of aid and making clear that there will be no annexations in the West Bank."
He then went on to reiterate the demands on Hamas, saying: "They must immediately release all of the hostages, sign up to a ceasefire, disarm, and accept that they will play no part in the government of Gaza."
He concluded: "We'll make an assessment in September on how far the parties have met these steps."
The lawyers representing British hostages' families have asked for clarity from number ten on whether recognition of Palestinian statehood is contingent on the release of all remaining hostages by Hamas.
Whilst Downing Street have not given that assurance, they have restated their demands on Hamas remain unchanged.
In recent days, the PM had faced intense pressure from political opponents, as well as those in his own party, after 255 MPs from nine seperate parties wrote a letter calling on the UK to act faster in recognising Palestine's statehood.
Chair of the Foreign Affair Committee Dame Emily Thornberry described the announcement as "fantastic" and said it showed Starmer was listening to people's concerns.
Calls for the UK to join France in taking this step have been growing as the humaniatrian crisis in Gaza deteriorates, with scenes Starmer himself described as "revolting."
The Labour party's position has long been to recognise the state of Palestine aspart of a two-state solution, with ministers recently saying it was a question of "when not if."
Although the situation in the Middle-East was high on the agenda in a meeting between Starmer and Donald Trump, the US president distanced himself from the PM's position whilst flying home from his trip to Scotland.
"You could make the case that you're rewarding people, that you're rewarding Hamas if you do that and I don't think they should be rewarded," Trump said, repeating the Israeli position.
He added: "I'm not in that camp to be honest."
The announcement of the UK's intention to recognise Palestine came the same day as Gaza's Health Authority brought the death toll up to over 60,000 over the 21-month conflict.
Last week, experts warned the remaining population of Gaza is dangerously close to starvation, something Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied before being rebuffed by both Starmer and Trump.
Israel's actions in Gaza come after an attack by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, in which around 1,200 people were killed, nearly 800 of them civilians, and around 250 taken hostage.
50 hostages are thought to still be in captivity, of whom Israel believes 27 are dead. Netanyahu has previously said there are 'doubts' about the fate of several more.
Responding to the UK's commitment to recognise the state of Palestine, Netanyahu posted on X: "Starmer rewards Hamas's monstrous terrorism and punishes its victims."A jihadist state on Israel's border TODAY will threaten Britain TOMORROW."Appeasement towards jihadist terrorists always fails. It will fail you too. It will not happen."
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