The UK, France and Germany have called for an end to the war in Gaza and for Israel to “immediately lift restrictions on the flow of aid” into the area.
“The humanitarian catastrophe that we are witnessing in Gaza must end now,” Sir Keir Starmer said in a joint statement with German chancellor Friedrich Merz and French president Emmanuel Macron.
But he resisted calls to recognise the state of Palestine immediately.
The PM is under increasing pressure on the issue after 221 MPs from across different political parties joined forces to call on the government to recognise a Palestinian state.
France’s decision to recognise Palestine has also added to pressure on the UK to follow suit, as well as divisions within Sir Keir’s own cabinet.
Sir Keir said: “The appalling scenes in Gaza are unrelenting. The continued captivity of hostages, the starvation and denial of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, the increasing violence from extremist settler groups, and Israel’s disproportionate military escalation in Gaza are all indefensible.
“Alongside our closest allies, I am working on a pathway to peace in the region, focused on the practical solutions that will make a real difference to the lives of those that are suffering in this war.
“That pathway will set out the concrete steps needed to turn the ceasefire so desperately needed, into a lasting peace.”
He added: “Recognition of a Palestinian state has to be one of those steps. I am unequivocal about that. But it must be part of a wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution and lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis. This is the way to ensure it is a tool of maximum utility to improve the lives of those who are suffering – which of course, will always be our ultimate goal.”
There is speculation within Labour that Sir Keir may go ahead with recognition of Palestine after he meets Donald Trump in Scotland on Monday, to ensure that the bilateral with the US president is not derailed by the issue.
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