Hostage families urge UK to sanction Hamas as foreign secretary backs Palestine recognition

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has told the families of British and British-connected hostages held in Gaza that the UK could proceed with recognising a Palestinian state this month, regardless of whether the hostages are released by Hamas.

In a private meeting on September 2 with the families of eight individuals abducted during the October 7 Hamas attack, Lammy was asked directly if the UK government would recognise a Palestinian state while British citizens remained captive. Lammy replied with a firm: “yes,” The Jewish Chronicle reports.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has previously stated that recognition of Palestinian statehood could move ahead this month unless there is a “substantial change of course” from the Israeli government. In a public statement, Starmer said:

“They [Hamas] must immediately release all the hostages, sign up to a ceasefire, disarm and accept that they will play no part in the government of Gaza.”

However, Lammy’s comments now confirm that the recognition process is not contingent on any action by Hamas.

Following the meeting, lawyers Adam Wagner KC and Adam Rose, representing the families, released a joint statement expressing concern that the UK government is “applying pressure only on one side” of the ceasefire negotiations.

“The UK should apply pressure to both Israel and Hamas, including their leadership, to reach a ceasefire,” the statement read.

The families questioned the UK’s current posture toward Hamas, asking:

“What additional sanctions or any other measures are being imposed on Hamas or its funders and supporters? Why have no conditions been placed on Hamas in relation to recognition?”

They urged immediate action from the UK government:

“The UK must apply more pressure on Hamas, including on those countries that continue to work with Hamas, to get all of the hostages freed. We want to see sanctions, arrest warrants and other punitive measures. We hope to be making this demand to others in power in the UK in the coming days. Tomorrow may be too late: the UK must act now.”

While the families hold differing views on Palestinian statehood, they remain united in calling for the “immediate and unconditional release” of all remaining hostages.

“The living hostages are being starved and tortured by Hamas and need to be released before it’s too late. This is beyond urgent,” they said.

Lammy also told the families that Palestinian recognition is not a “prize” for Hamas, calling the group a “brutal terrorist organisation.” He added that recognition would be a “process,” not a one-time declaration.

By Vafa Guliyeva