US, Israel Say Starmer’s Palestine Recognition Vow Rewards Hamas

WATCH: Keir Starmer said the UK would formally recognize a Palestinian state by the United Nations General Assembly in September if Israel does not stop its war in Gaza. Bill Faries reports.Source: Bloomberg

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Alex Morales, Alex Wickham, and Galit Altstein

July 30, 2025 at 3:57 AM EDT

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump criticized UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s pledge to recognize the state of Palestine if Israel doesn’t commit to ending its war in Gaza, saying it would reward Hamas.

The UK prime minister on Tuesday said British recognition for Palestine will come if Israel doesn’t “take substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza,” including agreeing to a cease-fire, committing to a pathway to peace that revives the prospect of a two-state solution and making clear there will be no annexations in the West Bank. That prompted an angry response from Israel.