𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

“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, with that solution now under threat, this is the moment to act,” Sir Keir Starmer said after his emergency meeting.

“So today, as part of this process towards peace, I can confirm the UK will recognise the state of Palestine by the United Nations General Assembly in September, unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire and commit to a long term sustainable peace, reviving the prospect of a two state solution, and this includes allowing the UN to restart Supply of aid and making clear that there will be no annexations in the West Bank.”

Speaking after an emergency cabinet meeting, the UK prime minister said his country is supporting efforts to secure a ceasefire and negotiations on a two-state solution.

“We are supporting the US, Egyptian and Qatari efforts to secure a vital ceasefire.

“That ceasefire must be sustainable and it must lead to a wider peace plan, which we are developing with our international partners.

“This plan will deliver security and proper governance in Gaza and pave the way for negotiations on a two-state solution.

“Our goal remains a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.”

Sir Keir Starmer said he needs to see “at least 500 trucks entering Gaza every day” to deliver aid.

Speaking from Downing Street, the Prime Minister said: “We need to see at least 500 trucks entering Gaza every day, but ultimately, the only way to bring this humanitarian crisis to an end is through a long-term settlement.”

Keir Starmer and his senior ministers have agreed to recognise to recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel ends its starvation tactics in Gaza.

The prime minister held an emergency virtual cabinet meeting where he laid out his plan for peace agreed over the weekend with French President Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz.

In an ultimatum to Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, he used the threat of recognising Palestine in September to try to force Israel to change tactics.

Speaking before joining the UK’s emergency cabinet meeting, the UK Chancellor said “everyone is horrified” by conditions in Gaza, but declined to comment on whether the UK would recognise a Palestinian state.

“It is vital that humanitarian aid can get into Gaza and it is also essential that the hostages – who’ve been held since the 7 October 2023 – are released,” Rachel Reeves told the BBC on a visit to a mine in Cornwall.

Ms Reeves said she did not want to “pre-empt” the discussions but added: “This government is committed to a two-state solution in the Middle East, with a safe and secure Israel sitting alongside a viable, and peaceful, Palestinian state.”

The emergency meeting is currently underway.

Earlier we brought you the news that two major rights groups in Israel, B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, have accused their country of genocide for the first time.

The rights groups, while prominent and respected internationally, are considered in Israel to be on the political fringe, and their views are not representative of the vast majority of Israelis. But having the allegation of genocide come from Israeli voices shatters a taboo in a society that has been reticent to criticice Israel’s conduct in Gaza.

Guy Shalev, director of Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, said the Jewish-Israeli public often dismisses accusations of genocide as antisemitic or biased against Israel.

“Perhaps human rights groups based in Israel, and coming to this conclusion, is a way to confront that accusation and get people to acknowledge the reality,” he said.

Israel asserts that it is fighting an existential war and abides by international law. It has rejected genocide allegations as antisemitic.

It is challenging such allegations at the International Court of Justice, and it has rejected the International Criminal Court’s allegations that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant committed war crimes in Gaza. Both face international arrest warrants.

• A UN-backed food security monitor this morning alerted that “the worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out in the Gaza Strip” .
• The alert said famine thresholds have been met for most of the Gaza Strip and for acute malnutrition in Gaza City.
• The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) is a global authority providing criteria for famine but it is up to aid agencies and governments to officially declare famine.
• Israel’s foreign minister denied accusations that it’s withholding aid, saying it’s a “lie”.
• The death toll has now surpassed 60,000 in Gaza, according to the enclave’s health ministry.
• In Scotland, Trump has said he’s working with Israel’s prime minister “to try and get things straightened out”.
• Sir Keir Starmer’s emergency cabinet meeting on Gaza is underway, with most ministers thought to have joined remotely, according to the BBC.

“It is now or never if we believe in Palestinians’s right to recognition,” Labour MP Sarah Champion told the BBC.

Labour MP previously organised a letter signed by more than half of the party’s backbenchers urging the government to recognise a Palestinian state.

“I really hope the cabinet realises there will never be a perfect moment to recognise the state of Palestine.”

“What we do have, however, is the perfect storm to prevent a two-state solution ever happening – with the Knesset passing a motion for annexation and a likely ruling the 6 August allowing settlements to encircle East Jerusalem which will divide the West Bank for ever.”