by Lazar Berman and Nava Frieberg at The Times of Israel
Starmer says Britain could hold off on move if Israel clarifies it won’t annex West Bank, take steps toward two-state solution; Jerusalem decries announcement as ‘reward for Hamas’
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday that the UK would recognize a Palestinian state in September unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the war and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, and meets several other conditions, including recommitting to a viable peace process.
The decision, which was relayed by Starmer to his cabinet and then to the public by way of a government statement, was swiftly condemned by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who declared the move “rewards Hamas’s monstrous terrorism.”
The announcement marked a major diplomatic predicament for Israel, coming days after France said it would recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September.
Starmer said that Israel could forestall the measure by reaching a ceasefire in Gaza and end the “appalling situation” there, making clear that it will not annex the West Bank, and committing to a peace process that results in a two-state solution.
“The Palestinian people have endured terrible suffering,” Starmer told reporters…
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