The UK House of Commons voted in favour of recognising Palestine as a state in 2014, as a contribution towards achieving a negotiated two-state solution.[8] However, the UK government continued its policy of reserving the right to recognise Palestine bilaterally at a more opportune time for peace efforts, until it eventually recognised Palestine on 21 September 2025.
In April 2013, then-Prime Minister David Cameron stated:
There is no more urgent foreign policy in 2013 than restarting Israeli-Palestinian talks and making substantive progress towards the two-state solution...we are concerned by developments that threaten the viability of the two-state solution, including the construction of settlements on occupied land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem...Our goal is a secure and universally recognised Israel living alongside a sovereign and viable Palestinian state, based on the borders of 1967, with Jerusalem the future capital of both states, and a just, fair and realistic settlement for refugees...The British government is clear that, ultimately, the way to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is through direct negotiations between the parties. We continue to call on both sides to show the strong leadership needed to achieve peace, to take the necessary steps to build trust and to work towards the resumption of negotiations without preconditions.
In February 2021, the British Consul-General in Jerusalem, Philip Hall, condemned settlements in the Israeli-occupied territories as "illegal and an obstacle to restarting peace talks" between Israel and Palestine.[12] That same month, the Court of First Instance in Nablus ruled that the British government's Balfour Declaration in 1917 was invalid and called on the British government to issue an apology to the Palestinian people.[13] In April, the Palestinian government said that relations had reached a "low point" after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his opposition to an International Criminal Court investigation into alleged war crimes in the Israeli-occupied territories.[14][15] In May, Pro-Palestinian protests were held in London during that month's Israel–Palestine crisis.[16]
On 28 April 2025, Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, Mohammad Mustafa in Downing Street. Keir Starmer began by expressing his sincere condolences for the appalling loss of life in Gaza. He said that the UK does not support the resumption in hostilities, which are in nobody’s interests. He added that the UK will continue to press for a return to the ceasefire as a first step to a lasting peace, and reiterated that the return of humanitarian aid into Gaza is critical. He also said that we must not lose sight of the situation in the West Bank, where unlawful settlement and violence is of deep concern. Discussing the Arab Plan for Gaza, Keir Starmer shared the UK’s support for the Palestinian Authority’s reform programme, which he said is critical. The leaders agreed that a strategic political framework will be necessary as part of the implementation of a two-state solution, and that Hamas must have no role in Gaza’s governance. They both agreed that the UK would continue to work closely with the Palestinian Authority and regional partners to find a constructive way forward, and deliver lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.[17]
Pro-Palestinian demonstration in London in May 2021
In October 2014, the UK House of Commons passed a motion which called on the government to recognise Palestine as an independent state.[22] Also in October 2014, the devolved government of Scotland called for recognition of Palestine as an independent state and for the UK to open an embassy there.[23]Jeremy Corbyn, former Leader of the Opposition, is a longtime advocate for Palestinian causes and repeatedly pledged to recognise the country if elected.[24]
In January 2024 the Foreign Secretary, David Cameron indicated that the United Kingdom could formally recognise and establish diplomatic relations to a Palestinian state during the negotiations for a peace deal of the Gaza war.[25] Palestinian Ambassador to the UK, Husam Zomlot remarked that it is the “first time a UK foreign secretary considers recognising the State of Palestine, bilaterally and in the UN, as a contribution to a peaceful solution rather than an outcome”.[26]
On 9 December 2024, prime minister Starmer announced the appointment of Sir Michael Barber as his special envoy for Palestinian economic affairs. [7] On 29 July 2025, Starmer announced that the United Kingdom "will recognise Palestinian statehood in September ahead of the United Nations General Assembly unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, reaches a ceasefire, makes clear there will be no annexation in the West Bank, and commits to a long-term peace process that delivers a two-state solution".[28] On the same day, Foreign Secretary David Lammy made a similar announcement at a UN conference on the implementation of the two-state solution.[29] In response, Hamas praised the decision as "one of the fruits of October 7". This statement prompted criticism from Labour MPs and families of hostages, who called for a delay in recognition until all hostages are released.[30] A September 2025 survey conducted by JL Partners concluded that nearly 90% of Britons oppose recognition of Palestine without conditions;[31] however, a poll by YouGov the same day put support for recognition of Palestine at 44%, with 18% opposed.[32] An earlier poll by Ipsos recorded a similar result of 44% in favour and 13% opposed.[33] On 21 September 2025, the United Kingdom alongside Canada and Australia officially recognised the State of Palestine.[1] Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a statement emphasized that the United Kingdom believes that "Hamas will have no role in the future of Palestine and reiterates [its] call for them to release the hostages immediately and unconditionally".[1]
Controversies
The BBC's relations with Palestine were tested in February 2025 when it withdrew a controversial documentary, Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone, after discovering serious flaws in its production. The film, narrated by a 13-year-old boy, Abdullah, was criticised after it emerged that he was the son of a Hamas official, a group designated as a terrorist organisation by the UK. Following an internal review, the BBC admitted it had failed to uncover this connection during the production process. The BBC and the film's production company, Hoyo Films, both acknowledged mistakes, and the BBC launched an audit to assess the film's finances. The controversy prompted responses from UK government officials, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who called for a rigorous review.[34]
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