The UK has formally recognised the State of Palestine in what the government described as a “historic decision” aimed at safeguarding the prospect of a two-state solution.
The announcement, made alongside Canada and Australia, comes as the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, Israel expands settlement activity in the West Bank, and Hamas continues to hold hostages.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the move was necessary to protect the possibility of lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. “Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace with recognised borders is the exact opposite of Hamas’s hateful vision,” he said, stressing that the militant group would have no role in a future Palestinian state.
The UK said its support for Israel’s security remains “steadfast” but called on the Israeli government to change course by halting its Gaza offensive, ending illegal settlement expansion, and allowing more humanitarian aid into the enclave.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper described the recognition as “an important step to preserve the prospect of a two-state solution, at a time when it is now under unprecedented threat”. She added: “Hamas are not the Palestinian people. They must release the hostages and relinquish any hold on Gaza.”
The UK first recognised Israel in 1950 but had resisted recognising Palestinian statehood until now, despite longstanding support for a two-state solution. The government said it could no longer credibly advocate for two states without acknowledging both.
Recognition grants Palestine the legal rights and obligations of statehood, with borders based on 1967 lines subject to land swaps agreed in future negotiations. The UK stressed that the Palestinian Authority (PA) must deliver reforms, including holding elections within a year of a ceasefire, a commitment already made by President Mahmoud Abbas.
The move forms part of wider international efforts to build consensus around a framework for peace, addressing governance, security, humanitarian access, and ceasefire monitoring in Gaza.
The government is expected to step up sanctions on Hamas leaders in the coming weeks.