Keir Starmer, in a joint effort with Australia and Canada, has officially declared the United Kingdom’s recognition of the state of Palestine to reignite hopes for peace. The Prime Minister emphasized the diminishing prospect of a two-state solution with Israel but stressed the importance of preserving the possibility of peace amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The Mirror examines the implications of this recognition, noting that governments like the UK, Canada, and France believe that acknowledging Palestine will sustain optimism for a two-state resolution. Starmer highlighted the absence of a secure Israel or Palestine currently and asserted that recognizing Palestine is a step towards revitalizing peace prospects.

This decision follows the Prime Minister’s July commitment to recognizing Palestine if the situation did not improve. It aligns with global concerns over Israel’s military actions, which have resulted in significant casualties. The UK’s Foreign Office cited deteriorating conditions in Gaza, ongoing illegal settlements, and hostage situations as factors influencing the recognition.

Critics argue that recognizing Palestine could be seen as a reward to Hamas, with families of hostages expressing concerns over the potential impacts on rescue efforts. Despite objections from some quarters, Starmer emphasized that supporting a genuine two-state solution is contrary to Hamas’s extremist agenda.

Deputy PM David Lammy acknowledged that immediate changes may be limited but emphasized the importance of sustaining hopes for a future peace settlement. Recognizing a Palestinian state could pave the way for enhanced diplomatic missions, with the potential for upgraded status under international conventions.

The move by the UK, along with France and Canada, to recognize Palestine sets them apart from countries like the US. The decision underscores the diverging stances on the issue, with the US expressing reservations. Notably, Palestine enjoys recognition from a significant majority of the UN’s member states, further highlighting the global significance of this development.