London – Response
In a corridor where his flags dominated,
The scene, without journalists, nor cameras, exudes intense symbolism: Britain, after decades of avoidance, officially recognizes it, sending a strong message of the need for peace in the region.
The Israeli prime minister condemned the decision, describing it as “irrational” and “reward for terrorism”. Starmer opposed that recognition was not a reward, stressing that its leaders would face sanctions and do not play a role in the future Palestinian government.
Double -edged Palestine recognition
Ilan Pope, a historian and professor at the School of Social Sciences and International Studies at the University of Ephester, said in Vima that recognition is a “double -edged knife” because “on the one hand, it is a critical reaction to the desire of today’s Israeli government. The British government, like other Western governments, had to do something because, unlike societies, it showed incomprehensible indifference to Gaza Genocide. In this respect, this is a very positive move. “
However, “on the other hand, it is reminiscent of Oslo’s agreement. We are talking about a solution of two states with complete indifference to the reality of the ground, which has long denied this idea, and we avoid what is more important than recognition: understanding that only hard pressure from the United Kingdom and the EU, with the tool of sanctions and ending in the military and ending it.
Clear majority of British in favor of recognition
Speaking at Step, Dr. Yair Walats, a historian and assistant professor in the Department of Language, Cultures and Linguistics of the School of Eastern and African Studies (SOAS) of the University of London, stressed that “within the labor party. Former leader Ed Milibad supported it in 2014. Polls in total show that there is a clear majority among British voters in favor of such a move. Starmer was delayed, but he could not avoid it under the present circumstances. “
Pressed from the left Starmer
Explaining why this decision is now being taken, Walats stressed that “the main reason is the important pressure that Starmer receives from the left. It loses votes to left parties, such as the Greens. France’s decision to move on made it appear to be behind. There is widespread indignation at Israel’s atrocities in Gaza. All of this pushed the United Kingdom into such a move. “
Israel: There is nothing to be recognized
Concerning the consequences of this recognition, he emphasized that “recognition itself has little practical implications. But it implies the willingness to support the rights of the Palestinians and to question Israel. Tensions with Israel are already there and are going to escalate further. ” Referring to the dangers, he said that “at present, the main danger is that recognition will push the Israeli government to escalate the ethnic cleansing campaign in Gaza and the West Bank. Israeli ministers said it clearly: it is intention to ensure “that there is nothing to be recognized” (Smotric). “
In consultation with other states
Victor Kathana, Assistant Professor of Public International Law at the University of Nottingham Law School, analyzed speaking in Step that the United Kingdom decided to recognize Palestine at this time. “Many people say that if they expected more, then nothing would be left to recognize. In fact, conservatives began the process in the United Kingdom when David Cameron, in early 2024, said that the recognition of the Palestinian state could precede the negotiating process. Already in 2011, William Hague had told Parliament that Palestine met the criteria of state status, but recognition would not be given for political reasons. They decided that the moment is now and made it in consultation with other states – Canada, Australia, mainly France. They didn’t want to do it on their own. “
Referring to the potential benefits that Palestine’s recognition for the United Kingdom and dangers could bring, Katha said that “the danger is to displease Trump and the Israelis. But, as you would see, the British government was very careful. It is no coincidence that the previous day before recognition, Starmer met with Trump. He obviously had discussions with the Americans about it. “
In the drawer the toughest penalties for Israel
At the same time, the United Kingdom and other countries that recognized Palestine “are threatening with sanctions on Israel, although they have not yet announced measures. I think the reason they didn’t do it is because Netanyahu has threatened with the official annexation of the West Bank. Thus, they keep the toughest penalties in the drawer in case it does. The EU, for example, has hinted commercial measures – not an embargo, but the suspension of privileged terms of trade with the Union. “
The benefits of recognition for the UK
As for the benefits for the United Kingdom, recognition “is popular within the labor and I think most of the world in the country. But also, the United Kingdom has good economic and diplomatic relations with many Arab countries, especially in the Gulf. So the recognition is useful. And of course there is the world south where – as it was from the UN speeches – the issue is considered important. “
Finally, referring to the impact that public recognition can have, Katha said that “for the majority of the members and supporters of the labor, it is not enough. What you hear is that it’s very little, too late. It is the minimum they could do. It’s good to have done it, but they had to have done it earlier. “
