Sir Keir Starmer is expected to formally recognise Palestinian statehood this weekend, following Donald Trump's departure from the UK. The Prime Minister has previously indicated he would take this step ahead of the United Nations general assembly in New York this month if Israel fails to meet specific humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
The timing appears strategically planned to avoid overshadowing Thursday's joint news conference between Starmer and Trump. According to The Times, the Prime Minister has delayed the formal announcement until after the US President's visit concludes to prevent the controversial decision from dominating their planned media appearance.
Starmer's recognition plan has created tension with the US administration, which opposes official recognition of Palestine. The move comes as the Prime Minister set conditions for Israel including committing to a ceasefire, supporting a two-state solution, and halting West Bank annexation.
International Momentum Builds
France, Australia and Canada have indicated they plan similar recognition moves at the UN gathering, where high-level meetings involving world leaders begin next week. This coordinated international approach suggests growing diplomatic pressure on Israel regarding the Gaza situation.
The UK's position contrasts sharply with US policy, highlighting a significant diplomatic divergence between the traditional allies. However, Britain appears aligned with several other Western democracies in pushing for Palestinian recognition.
Khan's Genocide Accusation
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has escalated domestic political tensions by describing the situation in Gaza as genocide for the first time. Speaking at a public question time event, Khan stated: "I think what's happening in Gaza is a genocide. When I see the images of the children starving, 20,000 children have starved because of the policies of the Israeli government, when I see the health system in Gaza collapsed, when I see the lack of supplies reaching people in need, when I see the famine that is man made, when I read the interim judgment of the ICJ, and then see a UN commission report this week, I think it's inescapable to draw the conclusion in Gaza we are seeing before our very eyes a genocide."
Khan's comments align with Tuesday's UN commission report, which stated it had reasonable grounds to conclude Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The timing could complicate Starmer's discussions with Trump, given the US President's well-documented animosity toward London's Mayor.
The Mayor's intervention represents the latest domestic political pressure on Starmer from senior Labour figures over the Middle East crisis. Khan and Trump have maintained a long-running public dispute, potentially adding diplomatic complexity to the Prime Minister's US visit.
Policy Background
Starmer announced his conditional recognition plan in July following mounting pressure from Labour MPs over Gaza's deteriorating humanitarian situation. The three conditions he set for Israel are widely considered unlikely to be met, given the Israeli government's stated opposition to these terms.
Israel continues its major ground offensive in Gaza, with thousands of residents forced to flee Gaza City in recent days. The ongoing military operation makes the prospect of meeting Starmer's conditions increasingly remote, virtually ensuring the weekend recognition announcement.
Sources used: "The Times", "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
