UK PM plans Hamas sanctions amid controversial Palestine recognition

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to announce new sanctions against the militant group Hamas in an effort to blunt criticism of his government’s decision to recognise an independent Palestinian state.

The statement, expected on September 21, will confirm Britain’s recognition of Palestine while signalling a tougher stance on Hamas. Observers suggest the move is partly aimed at placating U.S. President Donald Trump, following his recent public criticism of the UK’s position during his state visit, Caliber.Az reports per The Telegraph.

Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel condemned the sanctions as a “feeble last-minute attempt” to appease Washington. “With the terrorist organisation Hamas still holding hostages in barbaric conditions and glorifying acts of terror, Starmer is sending a dangerous message, where violence and extremism are tolerated and rewarded,” she said.

Patel added that “peace in the Middle East will never be secured by rewarding terrorists” and described the measures as a shallow effort to justify Starmer’s recognition of Palestine. She also argued that the decision indicated Starmer was “capitulating to the hard-left factions of his party” now “dictating Britain’s foreign policy.”

Reform Party leader Nigel Farage also criticised the recognition, stating that Hamas and a Palestinian state are “inseparable for now.” “Whatever the caveats in his statement, this announcement is a surrender to terrorism and a betrayal of Israel,” he said.

By Khagan Isayev