British Jewish organisations have condemned Keir Starmer’s announcement that the UK is formally recognising a Palestinian state, “to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis”. In a statement he said that with Israel’s push into Gaza and among settlements in the West Bank, “the hope of a two-state solution is fading” but “we cannot let that light go out”.
The Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said the recognition “will prove to be a historic error of foreign policy, which will only impede the cause of peace. It is a reward for terrorism, while the hostages remain in chains, and has been celebrated by Hamas as ‘one of the fruits of 7th October’”.
The Jewish Leadership Council said: “This is nothing short of a betrayal of the hostages and a reward for terrorism.” The Board of Deputies said there was deep dismay among the Jewish community, and the recognition “has done nothing to advance a ceasefire, free the hostages, stop the suffering of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, or advance long-term peace”.
Sir Keir Starmer said: “This solution is not a reward for Hamas, because it means Hamas can have no future, no role in government, no role in security. We have already prescribed and sanctioned Hamas, and we will go further. I have directed work to sanction other Hamas figures in the coming weeks”.
Read also: Starmer’s Palestine gamble by David Patrikarakos, UnHerd