A group of bishops with a close interest in the Holy Land have welcomed the announcement that the UK has formally recognised a Palestinian state.
The Bishop of Southwark, Christopher Chessun, the Church of England’s lead bishop for the Middle East, together with the Bishops of Chelmsford, Gloucester and Norwich, said the decision could help undercut extremist narratives and strengthen moderates.
The announcement by the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer – coordinated with similar moves by the governments of France, Canada, Australia and Portugal – came on the day that churches held a day of prayer for peace in the Middle East.
The bishops said: “We welcome the decision of His Majesty’s Government to recognise Palestinian Statehood – one that many bishops have advocated for over 10 years.
“We hold that it is the reasonable aspiration of all peoples to belong to a state and enjoy the merits of full and active citizenship on their own lands.
“The British Government recognised Israel’s right to self-determination and statehood in 1950, but it has delayed till now recognising Palestinian statehood as the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. This decision now provides much needed parity of esteem and equal status for both peoples.