UK denies rewarding Hamas in push to recognize Palestinian state

On July 30, the British government firmly rejected accusations that its plan to recognise a Palestinian state amounts to rewarding Hamas. The move, which hinges on Israel taking concrete steps to improve conditions in Gaza and commit to a long-term peace process, has drawn criticism from both Jerusalem and Washington, according to Reuters.

The announcement comes amid growing international concern over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Shocking images of severely malnourished children have circulated widely in recent days, prompting dire warnings from aid agencies. On July 29, a hunger monitoring group cautioned that Gaza is on the brink of famine and that urgent action is required to prevent mass casualties.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in a televised address on Tuesday, issued a stark ultimatum to Israel: unless significant progress is made by September—including easing aid restrictions into Gaza, ruling out annexation of the West Bank, and re-engaging in efforts toward a two-state solution—Britain will recognise Palestinian statehood at the upcoming UN General Assembly.

The proposal immediately provoked condemnation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said it rewarded Hamas while penalising the victims of the group’s October 2023 cross-border assault. US President Donald Trump also weighed in, stating that Hamas “should not be rewarded” with any form of recognition of Palestinian independence.

Asked about such criticisms during a round of media interviews on July 30, British Transport Minister Heidi Alexander, speaking on behalf of the government, pushed back strongly. "This is not a reward for Hamas. Hamas is a vile terrorist organisation that has committed appalling atrocities," she told LBC radio. "This is about the Palestinian people. It's about those children that we see in Gaza who are starving to death."

Alexander emphasised that the UK is seeking to increase pressure on the Israeli government to lift its restrictions and allow humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza.

France has already announced its intention to recognise a Palestinian state in September. Britain has long maintained that it would do so when the timing would be most effective in advancing peace.

Starmer warned that the window for a two-state solution—where Israel and a sovereign Palestinian state coexist peacefully—is rapidly closing. He insisted that the time to act is now, underscoring the scale of suffering in Gaza and the need for renewed momentum toward a lasting peace.

By Tamilla Hasanova