The UK has formally recognized the state of Palestine, a significant shift in policy amid ongoing conflict in the region.

In a notable policy shift, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced the formal recognition of Palestine as a state. This decision comes amid escalating violence in the region and follows similar actions by Australia, Canada, and Portugal. Starmer stated that the recognition aims to support the possibility of a two-state solution, despite fierce opposition from the Israeli government and some UK Conservatives, who argue it rewards Hamas. The Prime Minister insisted that this move does not endorse Hamas's role in governance. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the recognition, viewing it as a pathway to coexistence with Israel. The UK Foreign Office clarified that this recognition pertains to provisional borders based on the 1967 lines. The announcement has reignited debates over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the ongoing Israeli occupation, with critics highlighting the complexities of establishing a Palestinian state under current conditions.