Netanyahu rages at Keir Starmer’s bid to recognise state of Palestine

Benjamin Netanyahu claims Keir Starmer’s bid to recognise the state of Palestine will reward Hamas’s ‘monstrous terrorism’. Sir Keir’s decision came after a meeting with the cabinet and ahead of a speech by Foreign Secretary David Lammy at the UN in New York. Mr Netanyahu did not hold back in his criticism of Sir Keir’s announcement, writing on social media site X: ‘Starmer rewards Hamas’s monstrous terrorism and punishes its victims.’ He added: ‘A jihadist state on Israel’s border TODAY will threaten Britain TOMORROW. Appeasement towards jihadist terrorists always fails. It will fail you too. It will not happen’ (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

Earlier, Starmer said official recognition from the UK would come before the United Nations General Assembly in two months time if ‘substantive steps’ were not taken by the Israeli government. They include moving to end the ‘appalling situation in Gaza’, agreeing to a ceasefire, and committing to a ‘long-term sustainable peace’ which would lead to a two-state solution. It would also involve allowing UN workers into Gaza to distribute aid and ‘making clear that there will be no annexations in the West Bank’ (Picture: Anadolu via Getty Images)

The Prime Minister said: ‘Meanwhile, our message to the terrorists of Hamas is unchanged but unequivocal: they must immediately release all of the hostages, sign up to a ceasefire, disarm and accept that they will play no part in the government of Gaza. And we’ll make an assessment in September on how far the parties have met these steps, but no one should have a veto over our decision. So this is the way forward’ (Picture: REUTERS)

Updating the UN on the UK’s new approach, Lammy said: ‘There is no contradiction between support for Israel’s security and support for Palestinian statehood. Indeed, the opposite is true. Let me be clear: the Netanyahu government’s rejection of a two-state solution is wrong. It’s wrong morally, and it’s wrong strategically.’ To applause, he added: ‘It is with the hand of history on our shoulders that His Majesty’s Government intends to recognise the state of Palestine when the UN General Assembly gathers in September here in New York’ (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

After the adulation had died down, he clarified the position is conditional on the actions of the Israeli government. The move comes after Starmer came under intense pressure to recognise Palestinian statehood from top Labour figures including Sadiq Khan and some top figures in his cabinet. They reportedly included Deputy PM Angela Rayner, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Health Secretary Wes Streeting. More than a third of MPs in the House of Commons have also signed a letter to the Prime Minister calling for recognition (Picture: REUTERS)

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he did not speak with Starmer about possibly recognizing a Palestinian state. ‘We never did discuss it. We have no view on that,’ said Trump while aboard Air Force One. We are going to get a lot of money to the area so they get some food.’ Trump also told reporters that pushing Israel to solve the humanitarian crisis in Gaza could give Hamas what they want. ‘You could make the case that you’re rewarding people, that you’re rewarding Hamas if you do that,’ he said. 'I don’t think they should be rewarded. I’m not in that camp, to be honest’ (Picture: Getty Images)