On September 21, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the United Kingdom will formally recognize Palestine as a state.
Starmer took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to post a six-and-a-half-minute video of the announcement.
“Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a two state solution, the United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine,” he said.
The decision was carefully considered before it was made.
In July, Starmer said if Israel didn’t agree to an immediate ceasefire and release all hostages by September, he would move forward in recognizing Palestine.
The UK isn’t the only country a part of the United Nations to recognize Palestine as a sovereign state. Currently, 151 out of 193 members—including Canada, Australia, Spain, and France—are also in support.
Those in Opposition to Palestine as a Sovereign State
Others remain opposed to the UK and other countries’ decision.
“By legitimising a state entity while Hamas still controls Gaza and continues its campaign of terror, the Prime Minister is not promoting a solution; he is prolonging the conflict,” former Hamas hostage Emily Damari said on X. “Recognition under these conditions emboldens extremists and undermines any hope for genuine peace. Shame on you!!!”
President Donald Trump is also in opposition. “You could make the case that you’re rewarding people, that you’re rewarding Hamas if you do that,” he said in July. “I don’t think they should be rewarded. I’m not in that camp, to be honest.”
While recognizing Palestine as a state is controversial, currently, a little over 78 percent of the UN is on board with the decision.
