A senior Labour MP has intensified calls for Palestinian state recognition, arguing it’s essential for lasting peace in the Middle East. Emily Thornberry, chair of the Commons foreign affairs committee, said immediate action is needed to break the cycle of violence in Gaza.
Thornberry said that coexistence between Israel and Palestine remains the only viable path forward. “The only way through this is for there to be an Israeli state that is safe and secure, alongside a Palestinian state that is recognised,” she said.
Her comments come as France and Saudi Arabia prepare to co-chair a pivotal UN conference later this month, where multiple nations may formally announce Palestinian state recognition. Thornberry noted the symbolic significance of these two nations leading the effort, referencing their historical role in the Sykes-Picot Agreement that shaped the modern Middle East.
Over 60 Labour MPs are now urging the Foreign Office to take decisive action. While the government maintains recognition should come at “a moment of maximum impact,” critics argue delays only perpetuate conflict.
The push follows Emmanuel Macron’s recent address to UK lawmakers, where the French president called a two-state solution indispensable for regional stability. Meanwhile, the newly formed Hague Group – comprising 30 nations including Spain, Brazil, and South Africa – is mobilizing international support to end Israel’s occupation.
Despite growing momentum, significant hurdles remain. The US and Israel staunchly oppose unilateral recognition, viewing it as rewarding Hamas. Recent tensions between Israel and Iran have already forced a postponement of the UN conference.
Thornberry urged the UK to leverage its alliance with Washington, saying: “We need the US to do what all other presidents couldn’t.” She also called for sanctions on illegal West Bank settlements, stressing that “the status quo cannot continue.”
With Labour backbenchers rallying behind Thornberry, pressure is building on Keir Starmer’s government to clarify its stance. While recognition alone won’t resolve the conflict, proponents believe it could reinvigorate stalled peace efforts.
As global attention shifts to New York later this month, the UK faces a critical choice: lead on Palestinian state recognition or risk being sidelined in the quest for Middle East peace.
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