Zürcher Nachrichten - UK to recognise Palestinian state ahead of UN debate

Starmer "will set out the position later on today", his deputy David Lammy told the BBC on Sunday, stopping short of confirming UK media reports that there would be full recognition of a Palestinian state.

Portugal's foreign ministry also said in a statement that Lisbon would "recognise the State of Palestine" and that "the official declaration of recognition will be made on Sunday, September 21".

Although it would be a largely symbolic move, the UK would become the first G7 country to take the step with France and others expected to follow at the annual UN General Assembly which opens Monday in New York.

It is a watershed moment for Palestinian statehood, with the most powerful western nations having long argued it should only be part of a negotiated peace deal with Israel.

But a growing number of longtime allies have shifted positions, as Israel has intensified its Gaza offensive, triggered by Hamas's unprecedented October 7, 2023 attack.

The besieged Palestinian territory has suffered vast destruction, a spiralling death toll and a lack of food that has sparked a major humanitarian crisis.

- 'Special burden' -

The UK government has come under increasing public pressure to act, with thousands rallying every month on the streets. A poll released by YouGov on Friday showed two-thirds of young Britons aged 18-25 supported Palestinian statehood.

Lammy acknowledged at the UN in July that "Britain bears a special burden of responsibility to support the two-state solution".

Over a century ago, the UK was pivotal in laying the groundwork for the creation of the state of Israel through the 1917 Balfour Declaration.

Three-quarters of UN members already recognise Palestinian statehood, with at least 145 of the 193 having taken the step or announced plans to do so, including the pledges from France, Canada and Britain, according to an AFP tally.

Starmer said in July that his Labour government intended to recognise a Palestinian State unless Israel took "substantive" steps including reaching a ceasefire in Gaza.

He has also repeatedly called on Hamas to release the remaining hostages they captured in the 2023 attack, and said the Islamist militants should play no role in the governance of the Palestinian state.

Lammy told the BBC on Sunday that the Palestinian Authority -- the civilian body that governs in areas of the West Bank -- had been calling for the move for some time "and I think a lot of that is wrapped up in hope".

"Will this feed children? No it won't, that's down to humanitarian aid. Will this free hostages? That must be down to a ceasefire."

But he said it was an attempt to "hold out for" a two-state solution.

Palestinian foreign minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin told AFP last week: "Recognition is not symbolic."

"It sends a very clear message to the Israelis on their illusions on continuing their occupation forever," he added.

But the UK's plans have angered Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who accused Starmer of rewarding "monstrous terrorism" and appeasing "jihadist" ideology.

And US President Donald Trump said on Thursday after his landmark state visit to the UK that he disagreed with Starmer over the issue of statehood.

Israel has retained the backing of the US, its most powerful ally and biggest arms supplier, as it has intensified its campaign on Gaza vowing to eliminate Hamas.

- 'Worrying evolution' -

Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which sparked the war, resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally of official figures.

Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed at least 65,208 people, also mostly civilians, according to figures from the Gazan health ministry that the United Nations considers reliable.

Portugal's foreign ministry said on Friday that it would also formally declare its recognition on Sunday.

Lisbon said in July that it intended to do so, citing the "extremely worrying evolution of the conflict".

Thousands of Israelis are also calling on the international community to formally recognise a Palestinian state in a campaign which has gained 8,500 signatures on a petition to the UN.

By continuing the war, "we're only going to escalate the cycle of violence, bloodshed, and revenge we've been trapped within, not since October 7, but for a century," said campaigner Maoz Inon.

O.Meier--NZN