Britain's plan to recognise Palestinian state | Instant reaction

Keir Starmer has said the UK will recognise a Palestinian state by September, unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire. It comes after the Prime Minister came under pressure from Parliament as 221 cross-party MPs urged him to recognise a Palestinian state. Recognising a Palestinian state is seen as a key step in protecting Gaza's civilian population. Starmer set out conditions Israel has to meet to prevent Britain recognising the state of Palestine, including agreeing to a ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza. Israel would also have to makes clear it will not annex the West Bank, and commit to a long-term peace process that delivers a two-state solution, according to a readout from a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Sir Keir said the UK has begun airdropping aid into the enclave today, but stressed that he wants to see at least 500 aid trucks enter the territory every day. Prior to the war, Gaza would receive between 500 and 600 trucks of aid per day. Starmer added that the best time to recognise the state of Palestine is now, as it will have the most impact. He has previously repeatedly said the UK would recognise Palestine “at a time most conducive to the prospects of peace”. In a readout from today's cabinet meeting, a Downing Street spokesperson said: "[The PM] said that because of the increasingly intolerable situation in Gaza and the diminishing prospect of a peace process towards a two state solution, now was the right time to move this position forward. "He said that the UK will recognise the state of Palestine in September, before UNGA, unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, reaches a ceasefire, makes clear there will be no annexation in the West Bank, and commits to a long-term peace process that delivers a two state solution."