This marks a significant shift in UK government policy after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer — following bolstered means of coordination with Canada, Australia, and Portugal — announced to formally acknowledge Palestinian statehood on Sunday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the announcement, stating it rewarded terrorism.
British Position/Language on Safety and Peace
Cooper stated that this decision is for the safety of both the Israeli and Palestinian people. She noted that the situation in other Security, Peace, and Justice in the Middle East is warranted, while claiming that it would make a two-state solution irreversibly complicated.
Cooper claimed that there are extremist actors on both sides of this situation wishing to perpetuate conflict and cited that there is a British moral obligation to move ahead with the idea of two states. She claimed that stopping at this point would be wrong and we have seen suffering, loss, and fire in the region, not accounting for other factors we bring into the process.
Recognition of Palestinian statehood follows the recognition of Israel, reflecting the balance the United Kingdom is trying to achieve.
Building International Consensus
The Foreign Secretary also stated that the UK will retain its existing Consulate General post in East Jerusalem, as part of a slow, diplomatic move with the Palestinian Authority, as opposed to a cohesive timetable of moving to full embassy status.
No time frame was provided for the future transition of the Consulate General into full embassy status, but she stated it is important to continue our cooperative/engagement instead of not.
The UK is working on building a wider approach towards peace as the UN General Assembly convenes in New York. As France is expecting to co-chair a meeting with Saudi Arabia on the pathway to a two-state solution, Belgium will also most likely endorse France's pledge of recognition of Palestinian statehood.
The UK hopes these possibilities will lead towards creating momentum to find a sustainable resolution to the conflict.
