Opinion: Recognition of a Palestinian state should not be a pawn in a diplomatic game

On 29 July, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Britain would recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, "unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza and commits to a long-term sustainable peace".

Of course, any British recognition of the state of Palestine, if and when it happens, would mark a historic moment. Britain bears a unique responsibility as the author of the Balfour Declaration and the mandatory power in Palestine.

If recognition does take place, it would reinforce the British government's stated support for a two-state solution, after decades of recognising only one state, Israel, while denying the other.

It would chart a trajectory that rejects Israel's attempt to impose a one-state apartheid reality across the whole of historic Palestine.

It would set the terms for any future peace process, in which the end goal must include a Palestinian state, reaffirming the British government's stated commitment to a two-state solution, as outlined in its announcement.

So why were Palestinians and others not out on the streets celebrating the British government's announcement that emerged from an emergency recall of the cabinet?

Read more: Recognition of a Palestinian state should not be a pawn in a diplomatic game Opinion by Chris Doyle