Over 220 UK MPs Urge Starmer to Recognise Palestinian Statehood

More than a third of Members of Parliament have signed a letter addressed to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, urging the UK government to formally recognise Palestinian statehood.

A total of 220 MPs across nine different political parties—over half of them from the Labour Party—have supported the call, arguing that such recognition would send a powerful message and be a crucial step toward achieving a two-state solution in the Middle East.

The pressure on Sir Keir has intensified following France’s recent pledge to recognise Palestine within months. However, after an emergency phone discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Friedrich Merz, Sir Keir reiterated that Palestinian recognition must be integrated into a broader peace plan aimed at achieving a two-state resolution.

He stated, "I am working closely with our allies to chart a path toward peace, one that delivers real change for those suffering from this conflict. Recognition of a Palestinian state is essential, but it must be part of a wider strategy that secures long-term peace and security for both Palestinians and Israelis."

A joint statement from the UK, France, and Germany released after the call made no direct reference to Palestinian statehood. However, it affirmed their united stance in supporting an immediate ceasefire and a renewed political process aimed at lasting peace and security across the region. The statement also condemned the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza and urged Israel to end restrictions on aid.

It further asserted that Hamas must be disarmed and excluded from any future governance in Gaza.

This appeal from MPs follows a broader condemnation by the UK and 27 other countries of Israel's "drip-feeding" of humanitarian aid and the deaths of civilians attempting to access food and water in Gaza. Israel, which maintains control over supplies entering Gaza, denies enforcing a siege and blames Hamas for instances of malnutrition.

Israel’s foreign ministry dismissed the statement from the 28 nations as “disconnected from reality” and criticized it for sending the “wrong message” to Hamas.

The UN reports that over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces while trying to access humanitarian aid in recent weeks.

Of the MPs who signed the letter, 131 are Labour members, including prominent names such as Liam Byrne and Ruth Cadbury. Notable figures from other parties—including Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, former Conservative minister Kit Malthouse, and the Conservative Party’s longest-serving MP, Sir Edward Leigh—also added their support. MPs from the SNP, Green Party, Plaid Cymru, SDLP, and independents joined as well.

The letter emphasized that UK Parliament has long supported the principle of Palestinian statehood as part of a two-state solution and argued that British recognition would carry particular weight due to the UK's historical role in the region.

Labour MP Sarah Champion, who organized the letter and chairs the International Development Select Committee, said the two-state solution remains the most viable path to a sustainable peace.

"UK recognition would be a powerful symbol that we stand with the Palestinian people—that they are not forgotten and that there remains hope for peace and mutual security," she said.