In a move that seems to have caught Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu by surprise, Sir Keir Starmer has sent a clear message to Israel: end the war in Gaza or the UK will recognise Palestine.
It is a symbolic but largely meaningless move by the prime minister. What is needed right now in Gaza is food – and fast.
This decision will not alleviate the suffering.
Gaza latest: ‘Children are passing out from hunger’, US doctor says
With famine stalking the Strip and international bodies warning of mass death caused by starvation, the international community felt compelled to act. But talk of statehood won’t feed the people of Gaza.
The threat of recognising Palestine as a sovereign state is aimed solely at Mr Netanyahu with the hope that it will pressure him into wrapping up the war and committing to peace.
But the Israeli prime minister’s response seemed to suggest the opposite: he is digging in. Nothing, except total victory over Hamas, will see him commit to a ceasefire and military withdrawal. The decision by the UK is, according to Israel, an “appeasement towards jihadist terrorists”.
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There is also no real clarity from the UK as to who the leadership in Gaza will be, what the borders are, and who will rebuild the largely destroyed Strip if the UK recognises Palestine in September and joins the other 150 nations who have already done so.
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So what could the UK do instead?
Sir Keir could implement a full arms embargo. He could turn to Israel and say if by the end of the month there is still not enough food being let in, we will stop sending you ammunition, aid and support.
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The focus should be on pressuring Israel to accept a ceasefire. Everything else at this point feels too little and too late.
