UK Warns Israel Against Retaliation After Recognising Palestinian State

 

The UK has taken a major foreign policy step by recognising a Palestinian state, joining Canada, Australia and Portugal in the announcement made by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. This move marks a shift in longstanding UK policy and comes as part of efforts to revive the two-state solution. The recognition is intended to reinforce peace and security for both Israel and Palestine, while countering growing instability in the region. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed that she has warned Israel not to retaliate by annexing parts of the West Bank, urging restraint to avoid escalating tensions further.

The decision has been met with strong opposition from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called it “a huge reward to terrorism”. Israeli officials and spokespeople accused Labour of betrayal, while the US said the decision was a diplomatic gift to Hamas. Starmer, however, stressed that Hamas can have no role in any future Palestinian state and confirmed that sanctions on Hamas figures will be expanded in the coming weeks. He described the move as a pledge for peace and a better future in the Middle East.

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Reactions to the UK’s recognition of Palestinian statehood have been mixed. The Palestinian Authority welcomed the move as a vital step toward securing a viable future state, while Hamas also praised it but demanded that it be followed by practical measures to end the war in Gaza. France, Belgium and other European countries are expected to make similar announcements at the United Nations General Assembly this week, with France co-chairing a meeting on the two-state solution alongside Saudi Arabia.

However, critics argue the move risks deepening divisions. The UK Conservative Party accused the government of rewarding Hamas, while Israel’s far-right ministers called for annexation of the West Bank and the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority. Meanwhile, international organisations continue to report dire conditions in Gaza, with tens of thousands killed in Israeli attacks, widespread destruction, and a famine declared in Gaza City. Despite Israeli denials, a UN commission has accused Israel of genocide, intensifying international pressure. Around 75 percent of UN members already recognise Palestine, making the UK’s decision symbolically powerful, even if practical challenges to statehood remain under Israeli occupation.

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