Starmer defends Palestine plan amid Hamas criticism

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a visit to Milton Keynes Central Library in Buckinghamshire (Christopher Furlong/PA) Christopher Furlong

Sir Keir Starmer has defended his plan to potentially recognise a Palestinian state whilst strongly condemning Hamas as a "terrorist organisation" that must play no role in Palestine's future. The Prime Minister said there was a "sense of revulsion" about the suffering in Gaza as he outlined his position on recognition.

Starmer has said the UK will recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agrees to meet certain conditions, including addressing the humanitarian crisis, implementing a ceasefire and reviving the prospect of a two-state solution. But he insisted the move was not a propaganda boost to Hamas.

Hamas "can play no part"

The Prime Minister told Channel 5 that Hamas should "release the hostages straight away and they should play absolutely no part in the governance of Palestine at any point". He emphasised that the hostages taken during the October 7 2023 attacks had been held for a "very, very long time in awful circumstances, unimaginable circumstances".

Starmer's approach has drawn criticism from the Israeli government and prompted plans for a protest in London at the weekend. Demonstrators, including some British family members of hostages still held by Hamas, will march on Downing Street calling for the release of the remaining hostages before any talk about the recognition of Palestine.

Gaza humanitarian crisis

The Prime Minister said the Government had to do "everything we can" to get aid into Gaza, working with other countries. He said people have seen the "images of starvation" in Gaza, adding that "the British public can see it and there's a sense of revulsion of what they're seeing".

Starmer stressed that "we do, alongside that, have to do all that we can to alleviate the awful situation on the ground in Gaza. We need aid in volume and at scale." It was in this context that he set out the Government's position on recognition.

Political opposition grows

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said on Tuesday that "Keir Starmer has made a mistake" and "what we need to focus on now is a ceasefire and getting the hostages home". Tzipi Hotovely, Israeli ambassador to the UK, said the actions of Hamas "must never be rewarded".

The Prime Minister maintained that his position was clear on Hamas being a terrorist organisation whilst emphasising the need to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza through increased aid and international cooperation.

(PA/London) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.