Starmer and Abbas agree: Britain can recognise Palestine

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Monday evening in his London office with Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas. The head of the British government stressed the request to rapidly end the war that Israel is conducting in the Gaza Strip.PAP

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas in London. During the discussion, both leaders agreed on key points regarding the mediate East conflict.

Starmer's office reported that the Prime Minister reiterated the request "to put an end to the terrible suffering and famine in the Gaza Strip, starting with an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages held by Hamas and a crucial increase in humanitarian aid". Starmer and Abbas agreed that the long-term solution "is the only way to guarantee lasting peace and stableness for both Palestinians and Israelis."

Recognition of the Palestinian State

The office on Downing Street stated that Abbas "welcomed the Prime Minister's commitment to recognise the Palestinian State at the UN General Assembly gathering to be held at the end of the period unless Israel changes its position". This commitment represents a crucial step in British policy towards the mediate East conflict.

"Both agreed that Hamas would play no function in the future regulation of Palestine" - wrote the authoritative statement. Abbas arrived in London on Sunday evening with a three-day visit.

Visit of the president of Israel

On Tuesday, the authoritative visit to the UK will begin the Israeli president Icchak Hercog - announced his office on Monday. So far, there's no evidence of him gathering Starmer.

The authoritative intent of the journey is to "show solidarity of the judaic community, which is under attack and struggles with a wave of anti-Semitism". Meetings of the president of Israel with judaic community organisations, as well as "members of parliament, representatives of society and influential persons" are planned.

Tensile British-Israeli relations

The relations between Israel and the United Kingdom are strained due to the situation in Gaza. London suspended arms exports to Israel, introducing crucial restrictions on military cooperation.

The United Kingdom besides excluded representatives of the Israeli authorities from participating in the largest arms fair in the DSEI 2025 country, which starts in London on Tuesday. This decision underlines the deterioration of diplomatic relations between countries.

Note: This article has been edited with the aid of Artificial Intelligence.