How will recognition of Palestinian statehood be greeted in the UK?

"As the death toll rose, and the situation on the ground in Gaza worsened, internal pressure on Starmer increased. The government had disappointed many on its own side by saying recognition would happen only as part of a negotiated peace deal. By July this year, more than 100 Labour MPs had signed a cross-party letter, led by the Rotherham MP Sarah Champion, calling for the government to formally acknowledge Palestine immediately."

"As global outcry grew, the Guardian revealed that cabinet ministers were also privately urging the prime minister to act. They included his then deputy, Angela Rayner, and the now foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper. The health secretary, Wes Streeting, told MPs he wanted recognition while there's still a state of Palestine left to recognise. Starmer's announcement will be met with widespread relief inside the Labour party."

"Recognition of a Palestinian state has long been a Labour manifesto promise. There is a widely held view that while largely symbolic, it is important to do. That said, there are more than a handful of Labour MPs on the right of the party who will be concerned that it could damage relations with key strategic allies, notably the US, without changing anything on the ground in Gaza."

Hamas attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023 were met with horror across the British political spectrum, but concern grew over the scale of Israel's response and the worsening situation in Gaza. Internal pressure within Labour increased as the government initially said recognition would occur only as part of a negotiated peace deal. By July more than 100 Labour MPs signed a cross-party letter led by Sarah Champion calling for immediate formal acknowledgement of Palestine. Cabinet ministers privately urged action, including Angela Rayner, Yvette Cooper and Wes Streeting. Recognition fulfills a Labour manifesto promise, addresses electoral losses, and is viewed as symbolic but politically and morally significant, though some MPs fear diplomatic consequences.

Read at www.theguardian.com