Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly criticised the UK’s reported plan to recognise a Palestinian state by September 2025. His reaction followed claims that the UK would support statehood recognition if Israel failed to meet certain conditions.
Netanyahu Warns UK Against “Appeasement”
Netanyahu posted a stern message on X, where he warned that recognising a Palestinian state could seriously harm the UK’s security in the future.
He wrote that if a jihadist state forms on Israel’s border today, it could threaten Britain tomorrow. He added that any attempt to appease terrorist groups would fail, just as it had in the past. Netanyahu claimed the move would only reward Hamas’s violent acts while punishing Israeli victims.
UK Ties Recognition to Israel’s Actions
During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer reportedly said that Britain might support Palestine’s recognition at the UN General Assembly in September—but only if Israel showed a genuine effort to reduce tensions in Gaza.
As per reports, the UK listed three key demands:
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A ceasefire in the conflict,
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An end to settlement expansion, and
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A clear commitment to peace talks.
Starmer explained that the UK had always planned to recognise Palestine at a time that would most benefit the two-state solution. He believed that doing so could support a real and lasting peace.
Abbas Welcomes Britain’s Stand
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the UK’s shift. According to the official Palestinian news agency, Wafa, Abbas had a phone call with Starmer.
During the conversation, Starmer reportedly invited Abbas to London and reaffirmed Britain’s conditional support for recognition. He made it clear that Israel must take visible steps toward peace if it wanted to avoid the September recognition.
France Also Supports Palestine Recognition
Just before the UK’s announcement, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed similar views. He indicated that France might also support Palestinian recognition at the UN meeting in September.
