More than 220 lawmakers in the United Kingdom have urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to recognize a Palestinian state amid an Israeli-imposed starvation crisis in Gaza.
On Friday, the MPs -- over a third of all MPs from nine political parties -- signed an open letter ahead of a United Nations conference on Palestine scheduled for next week.
“We are expectant that the outcome of the conference will be the UK Government outlining when and how it will act on its long-standing commitment to a two-state solution; as well as how it will work with international partners to make this a reality,” read the letter.
The letter follows French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement that France would recognize Palestine at the UN in September.
It also comes as public anger is growing in the UK and around the world over Israel’s relentless bombardment and siege of the Gaza Strip, while hunger ravages the war-torn territory due to the regime’s starvation policies.
A protest broke outside Starmer’s residence in London on Friday afternoon with demonstrators expressing “outrage” at the British government’s stance amid the dire situation in Gaza.
In a statement on the same day, Starmer said, “The appalling scenes in Gaza are unrelenting.”
“… the starvation and denial of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, the increasing violence from extremist settler groups, and Israel’s disproportionate military escalation in Gaza are all indefensible,” he said.
But Starmer stopped short of announcing plans to recognize a Palestinian state, instead saying he was working “on a pathway to peace in the region.”
“That pathway will set out the concrete steps needed to turn the ceasefire so desperately needed, into a lasting peace,” he said.
“Recognition of a Palestinian state has to be one of those steps. I am unequivocal about that. But it must be part of a wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution and lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis.”
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In addition to recognizing a Palestinian state, the British government has faced growing calls to sanction Israel and impose an arms embargo against the genocidal regime.
In 2014, the House of Commons passed a non-binding motion urging the government to recognize a Palestinian state, supported by an overwhelming majority of MPs.
Last year, Spain, Ireland, and Norway formally took this step, hoping to increase diplomatic pressure for a Gaza ceasefire.
Following Israel’s continued deadly starvation of Gaza, the Health Ministry said on Saturday that hospitals have recorded nine new deaths due to starvation and malnutrition over the past 24 hours, as the total number of starvation deaths in the territory rises to 122, including 83 children.
Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 59,676 people and wounded 143,965 since October 7, 2023.
Source:press tv
