Starmer urged by MPs to recognise Palestinian state

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer is facing growing pressure from a section of UK Members of Parliament (MPs) to officially recognise the State of Palestine, as calls intensify for Britain to take a firmer stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The renewed push comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and increased public advocacy for a just resolution to the decades-long Israeli occupation. Several Labour MPs and senior figures within the party have written to Starmer, urging him to commit to Palestinian statehood as a matter of principle and foreign policy.

“The time for moral ambiguity is over. Britain must stand on the side of international law, peace, and the right of Palestinians to self-determination,” said one senior Labour MP involved in the initiative.

The pressure follows Labour’s landslide win in the recent UK general election, which has raised expectations for significant shifts in both domestic and foreign policy.

Balancing Diplomacy and Party Divisions

Sir Keir Starmer, who has previously expressed support for a two-state solution, has so far stopped short of pledging formal recognition of Palestine without broader international consensus. However, critics within his own party say such a position lacks urgency and moral clarity.

A number of MPs are also concerned that Labour’s silence or caution on the issue may alienate grassroots supporters, especially young voters and pro-Palestinian advocacy groups who have been vocal during recent escalations in Gaza and the West Bank.

Meanwhile, pro-Israel factions within the party caution against unilateral recognition, arguing that any such move must be part of a comprehensive peace process that guarantees Israel’s security and sovereignty as well.

Growing International Momentum

More than 140 countries have already recognised Palestine as a state, and momentum for wider recognition is building within the United Nations and European Union. Spain, Norway, and Ireland recently announced formal recognition, urging others to follow suit as a path to peace.

Analysts say the UK’s position is being watched closely, especially under the new Labour government, which has the potential to shift Britain's foreign policy stance in line with modern global diplomacy.

“The UK can no longer sit on the fence,” said Dr. Leila Mahmoud, a Middle East policy analyst. “Recognition of Palestine is not just symbolic — it’s a necessary step toward meaningful negotiations.”

What’s Next?

Sir Keir Starmer is expected to respond to the internal party pressure in the coming days, as foreign policy priorities take shape under his new administration. Foreign Secretary David Lammy is also being urged to clarify Britain’s roadmap for Middle East peace.

As global and domestic calls for justice in Palestine grow louder, the Labour Party’s position could influence not only UK policy, but also wider European and transatlantic diplomatic approaches to the conflict.