British prime minister recalls cabinet to discuss Gaza ceasefire and rising calls to recognise Palestine

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to convene an emergency cabinet meeting on Tuesday, as calls intensify within his own party to recognise Palestinian statehood amid Israel’s escalating war on Gaza.

The rare recall during Parliament’s summer recess will focus on ramping up humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, where starvation is spreading and the death toll continues to mount. The discussions will also include a joint peace proposal being developed with France and Germany.

Starmer met US President Donald Trump in Scotland on Monday, where he condemned the "revolting" humanitarian crisis in Gaza and discussed the urgent need for a ceasefire.

While the situation on the ground in Gaza deteriorates, Labour MPs are growing increasingly frustrated with Starmer’s refusal to endorse immediate recognition of a Palestinian state. Many believe such a move would increase diplomatic pressure on Israel.

Although successive British governments have claimed they support recognition “when the time is right”, no clear timeline or criteria have ever been set. Starmer, for his part, continues to insist he is focused on “practical solutions”.

Last Friday, more than 200 MPs from across nine parties signed a joint letter urging the UK to immediately recognise a Palestinian state, a demand that is gaining traction as the civilian death toll in Gaza surpasses 60,000 and the threat of famine deepens.