Starmer’s Palestine recognition plan under fire from some Labour MPs amid Hamas praise

His comments echo those from Labour backbenchers Luke Myer and Mike Tapp.

Myer, the MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said in a lengthy statement on his website: “I do not believe in doing what is popular, but what is right.

“I feel strongly that peace cannot be built on symbolism. Recognition of Palestinian statehood must be part of a meaningful and irreversible process toward a two-state solution – not a standalone gesture, but a step that creates genuine momentum and improves the chance of lasting peace.”

Tapp, who represents Dover and Deal, has told the Times that: “Hamas calling recognition a ‘fruit of October 7’ demonstrates why there is such fear in the Jewish community.”

He went on to urge the government to make clear that any recognition of a Palestinian state “can only happen after the genocidal terrorists of Hamas release the hostages and lay down their arms.”

Although over 250 MPs – including many from Labour – backed a call to immediately recognise a Palestinian state, some –  including members of the government – have privately expressed confusion and unease since Starmer’s announcement last Tuesday.

Last Friday, the lawyers of hostage families said that the government’s stance “could hurt” their loved ones.

Although the government would make an assessment ahead of any formal announcement on recognition, “in deciding whether to go ahead with recognition, the release or otherwise of the hostages would play no part in those considerations”, the lawyers warned.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, a Downing Street spokesman could not clearly answer “yes or no” when asked whether recognition would proceed if Hamas continued to hold hostages.

“We've said we'll make an assessment ahead of UNGA (the United Nations General Assembly) on how far parties have met the steps that we've set out, and we've said that that, of course, includes Hamas, and we've also been clear that no one side will have a veto on recognition through their actions or inactions”, he said.

Starmer’s spokesperson, who described Hamas’s actions on October 7 as “the worst massacre in Israel's history” said the terrorist organisation “must release the hostages. They must disarm, they will have no role in the future governance of Gaza ... Hamas must lay down its weapons, and a two-state solution with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state is very clearly the opposite of Hamas’s hateful vision”.

Criticism of Starmer’s position wasn’t limited to his own party.

On social media, the Conservative Party shared the harrowing footage released by Hamas of hostage Evyatar David being forced to dig what he believed would be his own grave.

“They filmed it. They’re proud of it. Meanwhile, Keir Starmer is planning to recognise a state effectively run by Hamas, with no conditions on the release of hostages. It’s a new low for this PM”, it said in the video’s caption.

It also urged the Prime Minister to reverse his position on recognition: “He needs to u-turn. Urgently. Before it’s too late”, the party said in a post on X.

On Sunday, Jewish and pro-Israel groups are set to protest in central London against the government’s plan.

In his speech last week, Starmer said recognition would take place in September “unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire and commit to a long-term, sustainable peace, reviving the prospect of a two-state solution.”

Reports suggest that the Israeli government is apparently unmoved by Starmer’s threats and is planning to deepen their military operations in the Gaza strip.

Despite apparent objections from IDF officials, on Tuesday Israeli media reported that Netanyahu is seeking cabinet approval to re-occupy the Gaza strip.

A senior official close to the Israeli prime minister told news site Ynet: “The die is cast — we are going for a full occupation of the Gaza strip.”

“There will be operations even in areas where hostages are being held. If the chief of staff doesn’t agree, he should resign,” they added, referring apparent opposition from the IDF’s chief of staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir.