The parliamentary petitions website has yet to upload a petition from pro-Israel campaigners opposing recognition of a Palestinian state, despite having had it for more than three weeks.
The petition, submitted on 20 August by campaign group Stop The Hate, is titled: “The UK Government should not unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state.” It follows Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement that Britain will proceed with recognition if Israel fails to meet certain demands this month.
Parliament’s petitions system is meant to publish petitions within two weeks of submission, allowing supporters time to sign before the deadline. Any petition attracting 100,000 signatures is eligible for debate in the Commons.
Stop The Hate said: “Three weeks after our petition about the government’s harmful plan to recognise a Palestinian state and it is still yet to see the light of day. With the UN General Assembly now under way, there is a real risk that those concerned about rewarding Hamas will be silenced.”
A House of Commons spokesperson said: “Although we aim to process petitions within ten working days, it might take longer during very busy periods and high numbers of petition submissions. We seek to review petitions as efficiently and quickly as possible.”
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