Last week, on Tuesday 29th July the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer made a vital statement on Gaza, as the world continues to watch in horror at children and families facing severe malnutrition as hundreds of lorries with food wait at the border, emaciated hostages not yet reunited with their families and the heavy price of war continuing without a ceasefire.
In his speech, Sir Keir described the horror of the images of starvation, desperation and suffering of children and babies in Gaza, with so many politicians joining in calling the pain of children and babies is truly unacceptable.
With overwhelming concern for families in Gaza and for the Israeli hostages still held, many in the international community alongside the Prime Minister are continually demanding a ceasefire, for the flow of UN aid to be allowed into Gaza immediately on a continuing basis, and for the immediate release of hostages. It is why the UK Government is also working with the Jordanians on accelerating aid through airdrops and supporting the evacuation of sick and injured children in Gaza to British hospitals.
In his speech, the Prime Minister made clear the pathway to UK recognition of a Palestinian state in September before the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as part of a wider plan for peace. Recognition has long been a policy of the Labour Party, as part of a plan for a two state solution that is the only answer to ongoing peace.
The UK’s plan is centred around creating lasting peace in the Middle East, avoiding further conflict and further loss of life. We have stepped up our work with our closest international partners to develop a broad agreement on critical issues. Part of these agreements is for Hamas to immediately release all hostages, sign to an immediate ceasefire, commit to disarmament and accept that they will play no part in the governance of Gaza. These demands are absolute and there can be no resolution to this conflict or security until they are met.
The Prime Minister set out a pathway to recognising the state of Palestine in September before UNGA unless the Israeli government take substantive steps to end the atrocities in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire, allow UN aid into Gaza with no delay and make clear there will be no annexations in the West Bank.
Palestinian statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. This is not in the gift of any neighbour and is part of the plan for peaceful horizons. No one side will have a veto on recognition of a Palestinian state, Recognition by itself will not change the horrific situation on the ground but it is a vital part of a plan for peace, the foundations for which need to be laid.
We will work with our closest allies to develop a plan to build a credible plan for peace. This Labour Government is focussed on achieving a renewed peace process and a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable, secure and sovereign Palestinian state, something I have campaigned for over many years, including with visits to Israel and Palestine, and will continue to work across Parliament to do so.