Starmer seemingly rejects French push for immediate Palestinian statehood

However, in his own statement, Sir Keir Starmer declined to commit to such a move.

The prime minister described the humanitarian situation in the Gaza strip as “unspeakable and indefensible”.

“While the situation has been grave for some time, it has reached new depths and continues to worsen. We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe”, he said in a post on X on Thursday evening.

He also announced that he would be speaking to Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday to discuss “what we can do urgently to stop the killing and get people the food they desperately need while pulling together all the steps necessary to build a lasting peace”.

“We all agree on the pressing need for Israel to change course and allow the aid that is desperately needed to enter Gaza without delay.”

But Starmer appeared to diverge from Macron’s desire for an immediate recognition of a Palestinian state.

He went on: “We are clear that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. A ceasefire will put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution which guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis”.

The prime minister also expressed hope that US-backed negotiations would secure a cessation of hostilities in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas.

Speaking of the participants in those negotiations, Macron’s announcement was met with fury by both American and Israeli leaders.

Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the announcement “rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became”.

He added: “A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it.”

Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar also accused Macron of harming the efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.

“President Macron knows that negotiations are currently underway for a framework for the release of the hostages and a ceasefire. Difficult negotiations.

"Does his recognition of a "Palestinian state," a virtual one, of course, help achieve an agreement? The clear answer: the opposite is true”, he said in a post on X on Friday morning.

“Such a gift, which Hamas was quick to welcome last night, is only expected to lead to a hardening of its positions in the negotiations. The implications are: prolonging the war, continuing the abuse of the hostages, and also prolonging the suffering of the Palestinian population in Gaza”, Sa’ar added, accusing the French president of not caring about the implications of his actions.

Likewise, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned France’s announcement, saying it was a “reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7.”

Also last night, Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy accused Hamas of a “lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza” and said the US was withdrawing its team from the talks in Doha.

“While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith. We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza. It is a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way”, he said.

Starmer has been under pressure for some time from backbench Labour MPs and some members of his own cabinet to recognise a Palestinian state and to take a more critical stance against Israel.

During a trip to Oxford, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said there would be “benefits” to recognising a Palestinian state. On Tuesday, Health Secretary Wes Streeting also raised the issue, saying that the government “has been driving for, to ensure that we see an end to this war, but also the recognition of the state of Palestine while there is still a state of Palestine left to recognise.”

On Wednesday, London Mayor Sadiq Khan urged the prime minister to immediately recognise a Palestinian state. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan made similar calls in June.