Recognition of the State of Palestine
I continue to be horrified by the appalling, unrelenting scenes in Gaza, including starvation, desperation, and unbearable suffering.
On 25th July 2025, I joined MPs on a cross-party basis in calling for Britain to recognise the State of Palestine ahead of the UN conference that took place in New York at the end of July. A copy of this letter can be found here.
I welcomed the announcement that the Government would recognise the State of Palestine by September’s UN General Assembly unless the Israeli Government took substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza including allowing UN aid to restart without delay, agreeing to a ceasefire and making clear there will be no annexations in the West Bank.
Since July, when the Prime Minister pledged to act, the dire situation in the region has only worsened. The horrific scenes in Gaza, the illegal settlements in the West Bank, and the actions of Hamas mean the prospect of a two-state solution is fading fast. I welcome the British Government’s decision to recognise the State of Palestine. This decision has been taken alongside some of our closest allies including Canada, Australia and Portugal.
Grounded in values of justice, peace, and international law, this is a historic and necessary step. Palestinian statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. Recognition is essential to restarting meaningful peace efforts and to achieving long-term security for both Palestinians and Israelis.
I have long supported the recognition of Palestinian statehood, including by signing the 10th July 2025 letter organised by Labour Friends of Palestine & the Middle East, which was addressed to the Foreign Secretary. This letter raised grave concerns about reported plans by Israel’s Defence Minister to forcibly transfer all civilians in Gaza to camps in Rafah, and called for the urgent recognition of Palestine, full resumption of humanitarian aid, continued support for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), and a reassessment of trade with illegal settlements in the West Bank. You can read the full letter here.
The 2024 Labour Manifesto stated clearly that a viable Palestinian state is essential to achieving a just and lasting peace in the region. This principle has always guided our actions. Since coming to power last year, this Labour Government has ended trade deal discussions with the Israeli Government and sanctioned Ministers in response to their repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities. The Government also suspended approximately 30 licences for arms exports to Israel for items which could be used in the current conflict and restored funding to the UNRWA.
I firmly believe that a two-state solution is the only path to ensure a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian State. At the moment, we have neither. So it is our historic and moral responsibility to act. Recognition is not the end of this journey, but it is a vital step towards peace for all. Labour is also building consensus with leaders in the region around our Framework for Peace - a series of steps that can take us from a ceasefire to a permanent end to the conflict.
The plight of the hostages still captured in Gaza remains at the forefront of all our minds. The Prime Minister has met the families of the British-linked hostages and heard first-hand their suffering. The British Government will keep supporting every effort to bring them home. All hostages should be released immediately and unconditionally.
As your MP, I am speaking up in the House of Commons in support of the people of Gaza during this devastating crisis. I have repeatedly questioned the Government on what more the British Government can do to ensure that food and medicine reach all those in need - particularly the 93% of children in Gaza, around 930,000, who are facing starvation. You can see my questions here- https://shorturl.at/s9lr2 (2025) & https://shorturl.at/05QAz (2024).
Recognition of the State of Palestine is a turning point. It sends a clear message that we will keep working until peace and security are a reality for both Palestinians and Israelis.
Notes -
19 March 2024 - https://shorturl.at/05QAz
10 June 2025 - https://shorturl.at/LmTA4
Labour Friends of Palestine and Middle East - https://www.lfpme.co.uk/parliamentary-supporters