{"id":311451,"date":"2025-09-21T11:58:21","date_gmt":"2025-09-21T15:58:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?post_type=document&p=311451"},"modified":"2025-09-22T12:01:58","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T16:01:58","slug":"uk-pm-statement-21sep25","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/uk-pm-statement-21sep25\/","title":{"rendered":"UK PM statement on the recognition of Palestine (Non-UN Document)"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

This is a non-United Nations document. The United Nations provides these documents only as a convenience for reference purposes, and the inclusion of a document does not imply the endorsement of its content by the United Nations.<\/em><\/p>\n

To learn more about the High-level international conference, please visit the dedicated page.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

21 September 2025<\/p>\n

Keir Starmer’s statement on the Middle East.<\/strong><\/p>\n

From: Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the face of the growing horror in the Middle East\u2026<\/p>\n

We are acting to keep alive the possibility of peace and a Two State Solution.<\/p>\n

That means a safe and secure Israel\u2026<\/p>\n

Alongside a viable Palestinian State –<\/p>\n

At the moment, we have neither.<\/p>\n

Ordinary people \u2013 Israeli and Palestinian\u2026<\/p>\n

Deserve to live in peace \u2013<\/p>\n

To try to rebuild their lives\u2026<\/p>\n

Free from violence and suffering.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s what the British people desperately want to see.<\/p>\n

Yet, almost two years after the barbaric attacks of 7 October\u2026<\/p>\n

Hostages are still held by the terrorists of Hamas.<\/p>\n

Recent images show the hostages suffering and emaciated.<\/p>\n

Hamas refuse even to release all the bodies of the dead.<\/p>\n

I have met British families of the hostages.<\/p>\n

I see the torture they endure each and every day\u2026<\/p>\n

Pain that strikes deep in people\u2019s hearts across Israel and here in the UK.<\/p>\n

The hostages must be released immediately\u2026<\/p>\n

And we will keep fighting to bring them home.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s be frank \u2013<\/p>\n

Hamas is a brutal terror organisation.<\/p>\n

Our call for a genuine Two State Solution\u2026<\/p>\n

Is the exact opposite of their hateful vision.<\/p>\n

So we are clear \u2013<\/p>\n

This solution is not a reward for Hamas\u2026<\/p>\n

Because it means Hamas can have no future.<\/p>\n

No role in government.<\/p>\n

No role in security.<\/p>\n

We have already proscribed and sanctioned Hamas\u2026<\/p>\n

And we will go further \u2013<\/p>\n

I have directed work to sanction other Hamas figures in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the man-made humanitarian crisis in Gaza reaches new depths.<\/p>\n

The Israeli government\u2019s relentless and increasing\u2026<\/p>\n

Bombardment of Gaza\u2026<\/p>\n

The offensive of recent weeks\u2026<\/p>\n

The starvation and devastation\u2026<\/p>\n

Are utterly intolerable.<\/p>\n

Tens of thousands have been killed \u2013<\/p>\n

Including thousands as they tried to collect food and water.<\/p>\n

This death and destruction horrifies us all.<\/p>\n

It must end.<\/p>\n

We have now evacuated the first group of sick and injured children to the UK\u2026<\/p>\n

To be treated by the NHS.<\/p>\n

And we continue to increase our humanitarian support.<\/p>\n

But still, nowhere near enough aid is getting through.<\/p>\n

We call again on the Israeli government\u2026<\/p>\n

To lift the unacceptable restrictions at the border\u2026<\/p>\n

Stop these cruel tactics\u2026<\/p>\n

And let the aid surge in. ***<\/p>\n

With the actions of Hamas\u2026<\/p>\n

The Israeli government escalating the conflict\u2026<\/p>\n

And settlement building being accelerated in the West Bank\u2026<\/p>\n

The hope of a Two State Solution is fading.<\/p>\n

But we cannot let that light go out.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why we are building consensus with leaders in the region and beyond\u2026<\/p>\n

Around our Framework for Peace.<\/p>\n

This is a practical plan to bring people together \u2013<\/p>\n

Behind a common vision and a series of steps\u2026<\/p>\n

Including the reform of the Palestinian Authority\u2026<\/p>\n

That take us from a ceasefire in Gaza\u2026<\/p>\n

To negotiations on a Two State Solution.<\/p>\n

We will keep driving this forward.<\/p>\n

As part of this effort\u2026<\/p>\n

I set out in July the terms on which we would act \u2013<\/p>\n

In line with our Manifesto \u2013<\/p>\n

To recognise Palestinian statehood.<\/p>\n

That moment has now arrived.<\/p>\n

So today \u2013<\/p>\n

To revive the hope of peace and a Two State Solution\u2026<\/p>\n

I state clearly, as Prime Minister of this great country\u2026<\/p>\n

That the United Kingdom\u2026<\/p>\n

Formally recognises the State of Palestine.<\/p>\n

We recognised the State of Israel more than 75 years ago as a homeland for the Jewish people.<\/p>\n

Today we join over 150 countries who recognise a Palestinian State too \u2013<\/p>\n

A pledge to the Palestinian and Israeli people\u2026<\/p>\n

That there can be a better future.<\/p>\n

\u2026<\/p>\n

I know the strength of feeling that this conflict provokes.<\/p>\n

We have seen it on our streets\u2026<\/p>\n

In our schools\u2026<\/p>\n

In conversations with friends and family.<\/p>\n

It has created division.<\/p>\n

Some have used it to stoke hatred and fear.<\/p>\n

But that solves nothing.<\/p>\n

Not only must we reject hate\u2026<\/p>\n

We must redouble our efforts to combat hatred, in all its forms.<\/p>\n

We must channel our efforts\u2026<\/p>\n

United together in hope\u2026<\/p>\n

Behind the peaceful future that we want to see:<\/p>\n

The release of the hostages\u2026<\/p>\n

An end to the violence\u2026<\/p>\n

An end to the suffering\u2026<\/p>\n

And a shift back towards a Two State Solution\u2026<\/p>\n

As the best hope for peace and security for all sides.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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