In an open letter to Sir Keir,they said: ‘Your regrettable announcement of the UK’s intention to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly has dramatically complicated efforts to bring home our loved ones.
‘Hamas has already celebrated the UK’s decision as a victory and reneged on a ceasefire deal.
‘We write to you with a simple plea – do not take this step until our loved ones are home and in our arms.’
Ilay David,brother of hostage Evyatar David,who was seen emaciated in a Hamas video last month,said: ‘Giving this recognition is like saying to Hamas: “It is OK,you can keep starving the hostages,you can keep using them as human shields”.
‘This kind of recognition gives Hamas power to be stubborn in negotiations. That is the last thing we need right now.’
Destroyed buildings in Gaza,as seen from Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border,in Israel,today (Picture: Reuters)
Criticism also came from opposition parties,with shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel accusing Sir Keir of ‘capitulating’ to his backbenchers to shore up his leadership.
‘With the terrorist organisation Hamas still holding hostages in barbaric conditions and glorifying acts of terror,Starmer is sending a dangerous message,where violence and extremism are tolerated and rewarded,’ she said.
Dame Priti also described the preparation of fresh sanctions on Hamas as a ‘feeble last-minute attempt’ to placate Mr Trump.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: ‘Hamas and a Palestinian state are inseparable for now. This is typical of Starmer,he can’t really decide where he stands.
‘Whatever the caveats in his statement,this announcement is a surrender to terrorism and a betrayal of Israel.’
But Daisy Cooper,the deputy leader of Lib Dems,told Metro in advance of the announcement: ‘It is a really important step we hope the government will take today recognising Palestine,but it is in no way the end of the road by a long shot.
‘It is an important step in that path,but we have repeatedly said we want Donald Trump to pick up the phone to Netanyahu,to pick up the phone to the Qataris. We want Netanyahu to stop the blockade on aid,we want the Qataris to pick up the phone to Hamas and put pressure on them to let the hostages out.
‘This has to be an important step on that path and ultimately we have got to get into a position of a two-state solution that gets peace,justice and security to all Israelis and Palestinians.’
The party’s leader Ed Davey said this was ‘an historic day’: ‘Recognising the right of Palestinians to their self-determination has been long overdue.’
But he added: ‘The humanitarian catastrophe across Gaza and the West Bank continues to devastate lives – both for the hostages held in Hamas’ captivity and Palestinians suffering across the Occupied Territories.
‘The Government now needs to follow through and do all it can to secure a ceasefire,an end to the cycle of violence and a two-state solution.’
This is the full speech given by the prime minister today,recognising Palestine:
‘In the face of the growing horror in the Middle East we are acting to keep alive the possibility of peace and a two-state solution. That means a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state – at the moment,we have neither.
‘Ordinary people,Israeli and Palestinian,deserve to live in peace,to try to rebuild their lives free from violence and suffering. That’s what the British people desperately want to see.
Keir Starmer shakes hands with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas (L) at the beginning of their meeting at 10 Downing Street in London on September 8,2025 (Picture: Getty)
‘Yet,almost two years after the barbaric attacks of October 7,hostages are still held by the terrorists of Hamas. Recent images show the hostages suffering and emaciated. Hamas refuse even to release all the bodies of the dead.
‘I have met British families of the hostages. I see the torture they endure each and every day. Pain that strikes deep in people’s hearts across Israel and here in the UK.
‘The hostages must be released immediately and we will keep fighting to bring them home. Let’s be frank – Hamas is a brutal terror organisation. Our call for a genuine two-state solution is the exact opposite of their hateful vision.
‘So we are clear – this solution is not a reward for Hamas,because it means Hamas can have no future. No role in government. No role in security.
‘We have already proscribed and sanctioned Hamas,and we will go further – I have directed work to sanction other Hamas figures in the coming weeks.
Flames and smoke rise following the Israeli bombing of the al-Ruya Tower in Gaza City on September 07,2025 (Picture: Getty)
‘Meanwhile,the man-made humanitarian crisis in Gaza reaches new depths. The Israeli government’s relentless and increasing bombardment of Gaza,the offensive of recent weeks,the starvation and devastation,are utterly intolerable.
‘Tens of thousands have been killed – including thousands as they tried to collect food and water. This death and destruction horrifies us all. It must end.
‘We have now evacuated the first group of sick and injured children to the UK to be treated by the NHS. And we continue to increase our humanitarian support. But still,nowhere near enough aid is getting through.
‘We call again on the Israeli government to lift the unacceptable restrictions at the border,stop these cruel tactics and let the aid surge in.
‘With the actions of Hamas,the Israeli government escalating the conflict and settlement building being accelerated in the West Bank,the hope of a two-state solution is fading. But we cannot let that light go out.
‘That’s why we are building consensus with leaders in the region and beyond around our framework for peace.
Palestinian families forced to flee Gaza City due to Israeli attacks search for shelter in the al-Mawasi area of Khan Yunis,Gaza,on September 17 (Picture: Getty)
‘This is a practical plan to bring people together,behind a common vision and a series of steps including the reform of the Palestinian Authority that take us from a ceasefire in Gaza to negotiations on a two-state solution.
‘We will keep driving this forward. As part of this effort,I set out in July the terms on which we would act – in line with our manifesto – to recognise Palestinian statehood.
‘That moment has now arrived. So today,to revive the hope of peace and a two-state solution,I state clearly,as Prime Minister of this great country,that the United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine.
‘We recognised the State of Israel more than 75 years ago as a homeland for the Jewish people. Today we join over 150 countries who recognise a Palestinian state too – a pledge to the Palestinian and Israeli people that there can be a better future.
‘I know the strength of feeling that this conflict provokes. We have seen it on our streets,in our schools,in conversations with friends and family. It has created division. Some have used it to stoke hatred and fear.
‘But that solves nothing. Not only must we reject hate,we must redouble our efforts to combat hatred,in all its forms.
‘We must channel our efforts,united together in hope,behind the peaceful future that we want to see: The release of the hostages,an end to the violence,an end to the suffering and a shift back towards a two-state solution as the best hope for peace and security for all sides.’
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