Sir Keir Starmer has rejected immediate calls to recognise the state of Palestine as 221 MPs mount pressure on the Prime Minister to change his position.
The Prime Minister, who discussed his eventual plan for state recognition with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, was urged by MPs from nine parties to immediately recognise Palestine.
The letter, co-ordinated by Labour MP Sarah Champion, said: “We are expectant that the outcome of the conference will be the UK Government outlining when and how it will act on its long-standing commitment on a two-state solution; as well as how it will work with international partners to make this a reality.”
Signatories want Starmer and his Foreign Secretary David Lammy to change stance ahead of an upcoming UN Conference in New York next week.
Labour Select Committee chairs Liam Byrne and Ruth Cadbury, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey and Father of the House Sir Edward Leigh were among the senior signatories.
The letter added: “British recognition of Palestine would be particularly powerful given its role as the author of the Balfour Declaration and the former Mandatory Power in Palestine.
“Since 1980 we have backed a two-state solution. Such a recognition would give that position substance as well as living up to a historic responsibility we have to the people under that Mandate.”
However, following today’s talks with Macron and Merz, Starmer stopped short of calling for the immediate recognition of Palestine.
He instead said: “The appalling scenes in Gaza are unrelenting. The continued captivity of hostages, the starvation and denial of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, the increasing violence from extremist settler groups, and Israel’s disproportionate military escalation in Gaza are all indefensible.
“Alongside our closest allies, I am working on a pathway to peace in the region, focused on the practical solutions that will make a real difference to the lives of those that are suffering in this war.
“That pathway will set out the concrete steps needed to turn the ceasefire so desperately needed, into a lasting peace.
“Recognition of a Palestinian state has to be one of those steps. I am unequivocal about that.
“But it must be part of a wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution and lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis.
“This is the way to ensure it is a tool of maximum utility to improve the lives of those who are suffering – which of course, will always be our ultimate goal.”
Despite Starmer’s position on Palestinian state recognition softening, French President Emmanuel Macron last night declared that France would recognise the new state in September.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump dismissed Macron’s comments.