UK to recognise Palestine as a state in September - unless Israel meets conditions

The British government has said it will officially recognise Palestine as a state in September - unless Israel meets certain conditions.

The UK follows France, which recently said it would also recognise Palestine as a state before the UN conference in September.

Ireland, Spain and Norway all officially recognised a Palestinian state last year.

Britain has long maintained that recognising Palestine as a state must be on condition of direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

More than 200 MPs, including Labour chair of the Commons foreign affairs committee Emily Thornberry, have called on Foreign Secretary David Lammy to immediately recognise a Palestinian state.

However, Sir Keir Starmer had previously indicated he would not budge on the issue, saying he "very strongly" believes the only long-term solution to the Israel-Gaza conflict is a two-state solution.

Other Labour ministers had said recognising Palestine as a state would undermine Britain's position as an impartial broker in the war.

Ministers have previously said they were committed to recognising a Palestinian state but would only do so "at a time that is most conducive to the peace process".

Just before last summer's election, Sir Keir said recognising Palestine as a state could jeopardise the UK's relationship with the US.

The US, under Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Donald Trump, have maintained a veto policy when it comes to recognising a Palestinian state at the UN Security Council.

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