Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sharply criticized UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday, July 29, over Britain’s reported plan to recognize a Palestinian state by September—unless Israel meets certain conditions.
Netanyahu Warns UK of Risks
In a strongly worded message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Netanyahu warned that Britain’s decision could backfire. He said, “A jihadist state on Israel’s border TODAY will threaten Britain TOMORROW,” and called the UK’s approach a form of dangerous appeasement.
“Appeasement towards jihadist terrorists always fails. It will fail you, too. It will not happen,” he continued, accusing Starmer of “rewarding Hamas’s monstrous terrorism and punishing its victims.”
Starmer Links Recognition to Conditions
During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK would push for recognition of a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September—unless Israel shows real progress toward ending the Gaza conflict.
The UK has reportedly set conditions that include:
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A ceasefire in Gaza,
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An end to settlement expansion in the West Bank,
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And a firm commitment to peace talks based on a two-state solution.
Starmer emphasized, “I have always said that we will recognize a Palestinian state as a contribution to a proper peace process at the moment of maximum impact for the two-state solution.”
Palestinian Leadership Welcomes UK Shift
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas responded positively to the UK’s message. According to Wafa, the official Palestinian news agency, Abbas spoke with Starmer on the phone and welcomed the UK’s new position.
During the call, Starmer invited Abbas to visit London for further discussions. He also made it clear that Israel must demonstrate meaningful steps toward peace in order to prevent the UK from moving ahead with recognition in September.
France Aligns With UK Position
The UK’s announcement comes shortly after a similar declaration from French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron indicated that France also intends to support recognizing a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly meeting.