UK set to recognise Palestinian state despite opposition from US

The UK is expected to recognise a Palestinian state later Sunday despite opposition from the US after judging that Israel has not met conditions it set over the war in GazaThough the anticipated move is largely symbolic the UK hopes that it could increase diplomatic pressure for an end to the conflict in Gaza as well as help pave the way for a longlasting peaceDeputy Prime Minister David Lammy who was foreign secretary until earlier this month said an announcement on the recognition of a Palestinian state will come later Sunday from Prime Minister Keir StarmerAny decision to recognise a Palestinian state if that were to take place later on today does not make a Palestinian state happen overnight he told Sky NewsHe suggested that recognition would help keep the prospect of a twostate solution alive and stressed that identifying the Palestinian people with Hamas was mistakenIn July in the wake of intense pressure within his governing Labour Party Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK would recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza allowed the UN to bring in aid and took other steps toward longterm peaceThe anticipated move comes ahead of the UN General Assembly this week where other nations including Australia Canada and France are also readying to recognise a Palestinian stateThe UKs recognition of a Palestinian state comes just days after a state visit from US President Donald Trump during which he voiced his disapproval of the planI have a disagreement with the prime minister on that score Trump said Its one of our few disagreements actuallyCritics including the US and the Israeli government which has shown no interest in a twostate solution have condemned the plans saying it rewards Hamas and terrorismStarmer has insisted that Hamas will have no role in the future of the governance of the Palestinian people and must release the Israeli hostages it still holds from the attacks on October 7 2023More than 140 countries have already taken the step to recognise a Palestinian state but the decisions by France and Britain are significant as they are both members of the Group of Seven and the UN Security CouncilThe two countries have a historic role in the politics of the Middle East over the past 100 years having carved out the region following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War 1As part of that carveup the UK became the governing power of what was then Palestine It was also author of the 1917 Balfour Declaration which backed the establishment of a national home for the Jewish peopleHowever the second part of the declaration has been largely neglected over the decades It noted that nothing shall be done nothing which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of the Palestinian peopleLammy who will represent the UK at the UN this week said in July that this had not been upheld and represented a historical injustice which continues to unfoldThe UK has for decades supported an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel but insisted recognition must come as part of a peace plan to achieve a twostate solutionHowever UK officials have become increasingly worried that such a solution is becoming all but impossible not only because of the razing of Gaza and displacement of most of its population during nearly two years of conflict but because Israels government is aggressively expanding settlements in the West Bank land Palestinians want for their future state Much of the world regards Israels occupation of the West Bank as illegalThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever