Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East

I’ve long called for recognition of the state of Palestine. This week the UK has taken leadership on this issue internationally - making historic progress with its allies…

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#UK recognition of a #Palestinian state would have a profound impact on advancing #TwoStateSolution.

Facing unconscionable suffering in #Gaza, we must act and I’m grateful to the Government for having listened to us, so that lasting #peace and #progress for all can be achieved.

Recognition is not a reward, it is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people and an essential part of a two-state solution and path to peace. (1/3)

The immediate priority is a ceasefire, unrestricted aid through land routes, securing the release of hostages, and scaling up medical support for civilians. The UK govt is clearly centring these as an immediate focus. We welcome this progress and will keep up pressure for action.

It also sets out a new international effort for humanitarian land routes, a lasting ceasefire and a long-term peace. Recognition alone will not feed Palestinians starving in Gaza, free the hostages, or stop atrocities being committed by the Israeli government.

We welcome the steps announced today, which make clear the expectations of the Israeli government and Hamas, while also setting the stage for multilateral recognition alongside our allies at UNGA in September.

Today’s announcement by the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary is a significant step forward in UK policy and in multilateral responses to the region.

LFPME has long called for the immediate recognition of the State of Palestine. Not as a reward to Hamas or a punishment to Israel, but as a recognition of the right to self-determination for Palestinians and of the PA as the internationally recognised representative of Palestine.

Our statement in response to the UK Government's announcement of Palestinian state recognition 👇

The right to self-determination for Palestinians is absolute.

I spoke to Radio 4 about recognition being only the first step towards peace - but it is an essential one.

We are grateful to Scottish Labour MSPs for adding their names in support of our statement on recognition.

Alongside yesterday’s statement from Anas Sarwar, it sends a clear message that all Scottish Labour MSPs support recognition of the State of Palestine.

Tonight, France has announced it will recognise the state of Palestine at the UNGA conference in September. Since this letter was published, many more Labour MPs have joined our call for immediate recognition. I urge the UK to make progress on this issue with our European partners tomorrow morning.

“The suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza is unspeakable and indefensible. While the situation has been grave for some time, it has reached new depths and continues to worsen. We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe. “I will hold an emergency call with E3 partners tomorrow, where we will discuss what we can do urgently to stop the killing and get people the food they desperately need while pulling together all the steps necessary to build a lasting peace. We all agree on the pressing need for Israel to change course and allow the aid that is desperately needed to enter Gaza without delay. “It is hard to see a hopeful future in such dark times. But I must reiterate my call for all sides to engage in good faith, and at pace, to bring about an immediate ceasefire and for Hamas to unconditionally release all hostages. We strongly support the efforts of the US, Qatar and Egypt to secure this. “We are clear that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. A ceasefire will put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution which guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis

Statement from PM Starmer just now on Gaza

We urge the British Government to take this step, which would be backed by a majority of MPs, and most of the Labour movement.

The Arab Peace Initiative outlined a comprehensive plan that can guarantee security, recognition and bilateral relations, with the full support of the region.

State recognition must be the first step - not the end goal - of a peace process that has been deferred for far too long. It should allow two equal sides to negotiate peace, security, prosperity and equal rights for all.

Recognition is not about rewarding Hamas, who need to immediately release all hostages and play no further role. Recognition makes clear the Palestinian Authority’s de jure administration of Gaza and sets out a path to move towards de facto control in the nearest possible future.

In the face of mass atrocities in Gaza and accelerated annexation of the West Bank, the demand for action is immediate and indisputable. This is an existential moment for the Palestinian people.

Our position is clear and longstanding. The UK should recognise the State of Palestine, to uphold Labour’s manifesto commitment and to preserve the two-state solution.

Our position on recognition of the State of Palestine ⤵️ and in 🧵.

We urge the British Government to take this step, which would be backed by a majority of MPs, and most of the Labour movement.

We should immediately recognise the State of #Palestine.

We cannot stand by as the #Netanyahu Israeli regime enacts its carnage and forced transfer of civilians in #Gaza, and annexation of the #WestBank.

The time for words is over - the #UK and wider humanity must act.

YouTube video by Tan Dhesi MP Genocide in Gaza

Horrific scenes in #Gaza, with hundreds killed just for seeking aid; people are #starving and forcibly displaced; and senior Israeli officials use dehumanising language, proposing to concentrate Gazans into a mass detention camp.

This has to stop and we must prevent #genocide.

youtube.com

As a co-chair of @lfpme.bsky.social, I have written to the Foreign Secretary on this and the need for the recognition of Palestine. Recent killings of Palestinians, including mothers and children, by the IDF need to be investigated and held to account.

Nearly 60 Labour MPs call for UK to immediately recognise Palestinian state Exclusive: MPs say in letter Gaza is being ethnically cleansed as Israeli defence minister plans ‘forcible transfer’

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

This week over 60 Labour MPs signed a joint letter to the Foreign Secretary, with many other MPs continuing to add their name or sending the same letter privately.

Full letter and signatories here 👇

Britain must take the lead and recognise Palestine now | Letter Letter: Eluned Morgan, Andy Burnham, Emily Thornberry and Andy Slaughter say Labour should not equivocate on a two-state solution that would ensure a peaceful future for Palestinians and Israelis alik...

As a large group of Labour MPs, this is something we have called on the govt to act upon before Palestine ceases to exist.

We wholeheartedly support calls in this letter & from regional/national leads calling for recognition of the State of Palestine.

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

Supporting efforts to counter the dangerous destabilisation of Iran in the region and to secure the immediate and unconditional release of hostages should be taken through diplomatic means, not through furthering military conflict.

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The ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber itself found that “alleged crimes against humanity were part of a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of Gaza”.

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The UK should not be training IDF personnel on UK-based training courses. Israeli forces have been engaged in multiple acts of likely atrocity crimes, with inexplicable civilian, journalist, & aid worker casualties, while also making routes to vital aid deadly combat zones.
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We continue to support the Government’s efforts on Gaza to secure a ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, and unrestricted aid access.