In a significant diplomatic shift, Britain, Canada, and Australia announced Sunday their formal recognition of Palestinian statehood. This coordinated move is set to intensify pressure on Israel to address the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and marks a notable divergence from the Trump administration’s stance on the issue.
These synchronized declarations come just before the annual United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York, where France and Portugal are also anticipated to cast votes in favor of Palestinian statehood.
While this collective action is expected to further isolate Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu diplomatically, it has not yet led to a reduction in his military campaign against Hamas. The ongoing conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties in Gaza and has left vast areas of the enclave devastated.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer strategically delayed this announcement until after President Trump’s recent state visit to Britain. During his visit, Trump voiced his disagreement with such a step, emphasizing instead the priority of securing the release of hostages held by Hamas.
“I have a disagreement with the prime minister on that score,” President Trump stated during a joint press conference with Starmer last Thursday, though he humorously added it was “one of our few disagreements, actually.”
When Starmer first outlined Britain’s intentions in late July, he stipulated that the final decision would depend on several key conditions. These included Israel addressing Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, agreeing to a ceasefire with Hamas for hostage release, and committing to a two-state solution for lasting peace with Palestinians.
Since then, Israel has launched strikes against Hamas leaders in Qatar, a Gulf state crucial for ceasefire talks, further complicating any potential agreement. Far from de-escalating, Israeli forces have intensified their military operations, pushing deeper into Gaza’s primary urban center, Gaza City.
For Starmer, a former human rights lawyer, this decision has been a difficult balancing act. He has strived to maintain alignment with the United States on crucial issues like trade and the conflict in Ukraine, but the situation in Gaza presents unique moral and political complexities.
During his press conference with Trump, Starmer framed the recognition as one component of a broader strategy aimed at improving the current dire situation. This strategy also includes efforts to secure hostage releases and reignite negotiations for a Palestinian state, emphasizing that recognition is “part of the overall package.”
When confronted by a Fox News reporter who suggested he waited for Trump’s departure to make the announcement, Starmer delivered a powerful condemnation of Hamas. This impassioned response earned him an approving pat on the shoulder from Trump, who remarked, “That’s good.”
Starmer highlighted his personal connection to the region, mentioning that his extended family lives in Israel and that his British-born wife, Victoria, is Jewish. “I understand, firsthand, the psychological impact” of the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers, he stated, asserting, “So, I know exactly where I stand in relation to Hamas.”
Internal political dynamics also influenced Starmer’s decision. Mounting pressure from within his Labour Party and from the public, fueled by distressing images and videos of Palestinian suffering widely shared online and in media, underscored the demand for more decisive action.
“The U.K. government likely hopes this move will secure a period of calm, alleviating the immediate need for further action,” commented Daniel Levy, director of the U.S./Middle East Project. “However, if Israel’s current egregious, aggressive, and potentially criminal actions persist, this quiet period is unlikely to materialize.”
Levy, a former Israeli peace negotiator, further noted, “The U.K. and its allies will face scrutiny over what practical changes this recognition brings. If the answer is ‘nothing,’ then calls for more impactful measures will surely grow louder.”
Critics, including Labour MPs and legal experts, argue that the British government hasn’t done enough, pointing out its reluctance to formally accuse Israel of genocide. Despite suspending some arms sales, Britain continues to provide components for F-35 fighter jets, which are actively used by the Israeli Air Force in Gaza.
The British government has imposed sanctions on two prominent far-right ministers in Netanyahu’s cabinet: Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Furthermore, Downing Street indicated that Netanyahu could face arrest if he entered Britain, affirming its commitment to “legal obligations as set out by domestic law and indeed international law.” The International Criminal Court had already issued an arrest warrant for him last November.
These actions have undeniably strained relations with Israel, with Prime Minister Netanyahu expressing particular indignation over the decision to recognize Palestine.
In a July social media post, Netanyahu vehemently condemned the move, stating it “rewards Hamas’ monstrous terrorism & punishes its victims.” He further warned, “A jihadist state on Israel’s border TODAY will threaten Britain TOMORROW.”