7 hours agoWhy does Britain know a Palestinian state?
Periskopi(10 months ago)
(10 months ago)Great Britain announced on Tuesday that it is ready to recognise a Palestinian state in September, unless the Israeli government takes important steps to end the horrid “cyst” in Gaza and meet certain conditions. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's decision comes after France's example, where President Emmanuel Macron [...]
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's decision comes after France's example, where President Emmanuel Macron confirmed his country's intention to recognise the Palestinian state and thus encourage other partners to do the same.
Reuters has analysed Starmer's announcement, driven by growing anger because of Gaza's hunger and destruction during Israel's war against Hamas militants, as well as other countries' positions on recognition of the Palestinian state.
What did Starmer say?
British Prime Minister reiterated that “has no equality between Israel and Hamas, and that our demands on Hamas remain the same: all hostages should be released, accept a ceasefire, admit they will have no role in Gaza government and disarm”, follows Periscope.
Starmer said Britain will take the corresponding step at the United Nations General Assembly, unless Israel takes visible steps to allow more humanitarian aid in Gaza, clearly states it will not annex the West and engage in a long-term peace process aimed at a <x0 resolution with two states” a Palestinian state co-existing peacefully with Israel.
He said his government would make an assessment in September on “as the parties have gone to meeting these” steps, but added that no one would have a right to veto that decision.
Why did Starmer take this step?
successive British governments have declared they will officially recognise a Palestinian state when the time comes, but they have never set a deadline or clearly defined the necessary conditions.
Starmer said the decision has been taken at a time when the situation on the ground in Gaza is very serious, and when the prospect of a two-state solution is at great risk, Telegraphy broadcasts.
A growing number of deputies from the Starmer Labusist Party have sought to recognise the Palestinian state to pressure Israel.
How can this affect U.S.-Great relations?
Starmer has been trying to build warm relations with American President Donald Trump, and Britain has rarely deviated from the US stand on foreign policy issues. The two leaders met in Scotland on Monday, but Trump said they had not discussed the British plan during that meeting.
Asked on Monday whether he agreed with Starmer's earlier position of Palestinian citizenship as a concrete step towards lasting peace, Trump said that “I have no problem with his taking a stance. Now I want people to have food. This is priority number one. There are a lot of people suffering from hunger”.
After France's announcement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio completely rejected the plan, calling it “a reckless decision serving only Hamas”.
How did France react to Britain's decision?
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot wrote on the X platform that Britain is “joins the momentum launched by France for recognising the state of Palestine”.
Together, through this decisive decision and our joint efforts, we are ending the endless cycle of violence and reopening the prospect of peace in the region,” said Barrot. Nothing can prevent a fair and clear idea,” he added.
What has been Britain's attitude toward Israel since October 7?
Early in the Gaza war in October 2023, when Starmer was still in opposition, he fully supported Israel's right to self - defense.
But his attitude has changed over the years, becoming more severe towards Israel, especially since his election as prime minister just over a year ago.
His government gave up the earlier administration's opposition to the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Tribunal for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and suspended selling several weapons to Israel.
Last month, Britain imposed sanctions on two far-right ministers in the Israeli government, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, charging them with continuing inciting violence against Palestinians.
Who else knew the state of Palestine?
Last year, Ireland, Norway, and Spain recognized a Palestinian state with borders prior to the Middle East war in 1967, when Israel invaded the West Coast, Gaza, and East Jerusalem.
However, they also acknowledged that these boundaries can be changed into a final agreement and that their decisions do not violate the belief that Israel has the fundamental right to exist in peace and security.
Some 144 of the 193 United Nations member states recognize Palestine as a state, including Russia, China, and India.
But only a small number of the 27 European Union member states have done so mainly as former communist states, as well as Sweden and Cyprus.
The UN General Assembly approved the de facto recognition of the sovereign state of Palestine in November 2012, raising its status from “entity” to <x2-member states”.
Who could be next?
Starmer's decision could exert pressure on other major countries such as Germany, Australia, Canada, and Japan to follow the same path.
Germany said on Friday it does not plan to recognise the Palestinian state in the short term, stressing that the priority is the achievement of the long-delayed “progress towards settling two states with Israel and a Palestinian state that co-exist in peace.
Italy's foreign minister said recognition should happen simultaneously with Israel's recognition by a new Palestinian state.
“A Palestinian state that does not recognise Israel means that the problem will not be solved,” said Antonio Taani at a meeting in Rome.
