Over 200 MPs urge UK PM to recognise Palestine as a state

More than a third of members of UK parliament have signed a letter calling on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to formally recognise a Palestinian state.

The letter, backed by 220 MPs from nine political parties, enjoys great support from within the Labour Party. It comes as international momentum builds with France recently announcing its intent to recognise Palestinian statehood in the coming months.

The appeal adds pressure on the Labour leader, who has so far said that while he supports recognition, it must come as part of a broader diplomatic strategy.

Following an emergency call with French President Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Friedrich Merz earlier this week, Sir Keir said any recognition must be part of “a wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution”.

In a statement, he said, “Alongside our closest allies, I am working on a pathway to peace in the region, focused on practical solutions that will make a real difference to the lives of those suffering in this war."

“That pathway will set out the concrete steps needed to turn the ceasefire so desperately needed into a lasting peace.

Read more: Macron says France will recognise Palestinian state in September

“Recognition of a Palestinian state has to be one of those steps, I am unequivocal about that. But it must be part of a broader strategy that delivers lasting security for both Palestinians and Israelis.”

On Friday evening, Sir Keir said the government would "pull every lever" to deliver food and emergency support to Palestinians in Gaza, and evacuate children in urgent need of medical treatment.

"This humanitarian catastrophe must end," he wrote on X.

In a video statement the same day, the prime minister confirmed the UK would assist in air-dropping aid into Gaza, following Israel’s decision to allow foreign countries to do so.

“We are already working urgently with the Jordanian authorities to get British aid on to planes and into Gaza,” he said.