Britain has officially recognised the state of Palestine, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Sunday ahead of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
“In the face of growing horror in the Middle East, we are acting to keep the possibility of peace and a two-state solution alive,” Keir Starmer said in a video statement.
He said this meant a secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state, adding: “We currently have neither.”
In July, the prime minister said Britain would recognise the state of Palestine this September unless the Israeli government took “significant steps.”
It came after mounting pressure on the British government to announce formal recognition.
Australia and Canada also announced formal recognition of Palestine earlier on Sunday.
France, Luxembourg and Malta had previously announced similar plans to recognise Palestine at the UN General Assembly.
Before the announcement, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy told the BBC that “now is the time to stand up for a two-state solution”.
Meanwhile, the Israeli government called the UK move “absurd” ahead of the UK announcement.
