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Keir Starmer’s government now says it will finally recognise the State of Palestine — but only in September, and only if Israel fails to meet a list of UK demands.

I have a problem with that – as everybody should: Palestinian statehood is not a punishment for Israel if it behaves badly. It is the right of all Palestinians.

Starmer using it as a bargaining chip is morally bankrupt, strategically incoherent, and potentially dangerous.

In a joint statement, Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Britain will recognise Palestine unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire, takes “substantive steps” to end the destruction in Gaza, halts annexations in the West Bank, and recommits to a two-state solution.

That may sound reasonable — until you realise what’s being said out loud.

“If the occupying force stops its assault, we won’t recognise the occupied people’s right to exist.”

This is not diplomacy. This is conditional justice — justice for Palestinians made contingent on the conduct of their oppressor.

A right, not a gift

Statehood is not something Israel gets to veto.

It’s not a carrot to be dangled in front of Netanyahu to persuade him to stop dropping bombs on children.

And it is certainly not something to be withheld because the UK government is afraid of offending Washington.

Recognising Palestine should have happened years ago.

More than 140 countries have already done so.

As the former colonial power that greenlit the creation of Israel without ever establishing a Palestinian state, the United Kingdom bears a special responsibility to act — not pose.

The current government is laying catch-up with more advanced nations – and even then, it’s doing so with strings attached.

A dangerous delay

Even worse than the conditionality is the public deadline: recognition in September — unless Israel meets the UK’s terms.

That raises a deeply unsettling possibility: what if Israel chooses to escalate its slaughter until the deadline, only to ease off in time for Starmer and Lammy to claim their threat worked and recognition is no longer necessary?

It wouldn’t be the first time Israel’s far-right ministers treated destruction as a race against time.

Multiple Israeli officials have described the war on Gaza as an effort to “flatten it” or “cleanse it” before international pressure becomes too great.

And now, with Britain putting a clear time limit on possible recognition, the UK may have inadvertently (?) handed Israel another incentive to do as much damage as possible while it still can.

If Starmer hasn’t considered that, he’s either profoundly reckless or unforgivably naïve.

Internal Labour division

Reports suggest this position was not universally agreed upon in Cabinet.

Senior ministers including Angela Rayner, Wes Streeting, and Yvette Cooper reportedly backed immediate recognition.

More than a third of Labour MPs have signed letters calling for it.

And MP Dawn Butler has claimed Starmer previously told MPs that recognition would be unconditional — a claim of which This Writer has found no public verification, but which, if true, adds to concerns over honesty and consistency.

Even without proof of that specific briefing, the overall impression is clear: the Labour leadership is bending under pressure, rather than standing on principle.

Public opinion is ahead of Starmer

Polling shows the British public supports recognition of Palestine by more than three to one.

And nearly five to one say the government should be more critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza.

This is not just a fringe issue.

It’s a matter of international law, human dignity, and political accountability.

Starmer has said repeatedly that “the only way to end this crisis is a two-state solution.”

But how can he claim to support that solution while refusing to acknowledge that one of the two states even exists?

Enough diplomatic theatre

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already made his position clear: he does not support a Palestinian state.

His government continues to expand Israeli settlements, destroy Palestinian homes, and restrict aid.

His foreign ministry calls Britain’s position a “reward for Hamas,” even as Israel faces growing international condemnation for what multiple human rights groups have described as war crimes in Gaza.

Starmer, meanwhile, is trying to square the circle — offering a symbolic concession months from now, on terms that Israel will never meet, while hoping to blunt criticism from Labour MPs, international allies, and the public.

It’s a strategy designed not for peace — but for political convenience.

No more conditions. Recognise Palestine now

If the UK government truly believes in justice, human rights, and a viable peace, there is only one path forward: recognise the State of Palestine now, unconditionally.

Anything less is complicity by delay.

The UK has already sold arms, provided diplomatic cover, trained Israeli forces, and repressed domestic protests against Israeli atrocities. It cannot now pretend that delayed, conditional recognition is some sort of brave moral stand.

We know what’s happening in Gaza.

We know what’s been happening in the West Bank.

And we know what justice demands.

So, Prime Minister, stop posturing.

Recognise Palestine. Not in September. Not “unless.” Now.

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