Sir Keir Starmer’s plan to recognise Palestine as a state has been attacked as “appeasement towards jihadist terrorists” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The prime minister mentioned the UK will recognise a Palestinian state by September except Israel takes “substantive steps” to finish the scenario in Gaza, Israel agrees to a ceasefire, commits to a long-term sustainable peace, permits the UN to restart support provides and doesn’t annexe the West Financial institution.
About 250 MPs from all events – half of them Labour – had signed a letter final week calling for Sir Keir to right away recognise a Palestinian state.
Politics newest: PM’s Palestine plan labelled ‘absurd’
Sir Keir mentioned that by giving Israel a deadline of 9 September UN assembly, he hoped this could play an element “in changing the conditions on the ground, and making sure aid gets into making sure that there is hope of a two-state solution for the future”.
However Mr Netanyahu condemned the plan, saying Sir Keir “rewards Hamas’s monstrous terrorism and punishes its victims”.
“A jihadist state on Israel’s border today will threaten Britain tomorrow,” he wrote on X.
“Appeasement towards jihadist terrorists always fails. It will fail you too. It will not happen.”
The Israelis additionally accused Sir Keir of pandering to his MPs and France, after Emmanuel Macron dedicated to recognising a Palestinian state final week, and harming efforts to launch Israeli hostages.
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Benjamin Netanyahu was effusive in his condemnation
Lib Dems and Greens: ‘Bargaining chip’
Sir Keir additionally confronted accusations of utilizing Palestinian state recognition as a “bargaining chip” by each the Lib Dems and the Inexperienced Social gathering.
Lib Dem chief Sir Ed Davey mentioned a Palestinian state ought to have been recognised “months ago” and “far greater action” is required to cease the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
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Jordanian navy personnel put together planes to ship airdrops in Gaza on Monday
Inexperienced Social gathering international affairs spokesperson Ellie Chowns, who needs instant state recognition, mentioned it was a “cynical political gesture”.
The British Palestinian Committee, representing Palestinian pursuits within the UK, described situations as “absurd and performative”.
UK Jewish teams search readability
The Board of Deputies of British Jews, the UK’s largest Jewish organisation, mentioned it was “seeking urgent clarification” that the UK won’t recognise Palestine as a state if Israeli hostages stay in Hamas captivity, or if Hamas retains rejecting a ceasefire deal.
The Labour Mates of Israel group mentioned it has “shared goals” with the federal government however state recognition “will be a merely symbolic act unless the UK uses its influence to establish the principles of a meaningful pathway to a Palestinian state”.
Sarah Champion, Labour MP and chair of the worldwide growth committee, who began the MP letter calling for state recognition, mentioned she was “delighted and relieved”.
Nonetheless, she added: “I’m troubled our recognition appears conditional on Israel’s actions.”
When Overseas Secretary David Lammy introduced the plan at a UN assembly, he obtained applause.
Not many different Labour MPs commented.
Tories accuse Starmer of appeasing MPs
Conservative chief Kemi Badenoch accused Sir Keir of being extra targeted on a “political problem for the Labour Party” than different points going through the UK.
“Recognising a Palestinian state won’t bring the hostages home, won’t end the war and won’t get aid into Gaza,” she posted on X.
“This is political posturing at its very worst.”
Tory shadow international secretary Priti Patel mentioned the announcement was “to appease his backbenchers” as “he knows that promises to recognise Palestine will not secure lasting peace”.
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Help vans have been allowed into Gaza on Tuesday. Pic: Reuters
Trump didn’t talk about statehood with Starmer
Donald Trump mentioned he and Sir Keir “never did discuss” the PM’s plan to recognise a Palestinian state throughout their conferences in Scotland the day earlier than.
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Trump responds to Sky query on Israel
Nonetheless, Tammy Bruce, spokeswoman for the US state division, mentioned Sir Keir’s plan is a “slap in the face for the victims of October 7”, which “rewards Hamas”, the Telegraph reported.
