Starmer defends Palestine recognition pledge
Starmer's defence of his move came after Israeli officials criticized his plan, and as British family members of Hamas-held hostages are set to stage a protest in London against the government.
Starmer said that there was a 'sense of revulsion' about the level of suffering in Gaza among the British public.
He highlighted his intentions to only recognize a Palestinian state if Israel failed to meet a set of conditions relating to the war in Gaza.
It must address the humanitarian disaster in the enclave, reach a ceasefire with Hamas, and commit to reviving the path toward a two-state solution, he said.
The pledge was not a propaganda boost to Hamas, Starmer said, denying that the 'terrorist organization' could play any role in a future government of Gaza.
The pro-Israel protest is set to take place in the English capital this weekend. Demonstrators will march on Downing Street to demand the release of the remaining hostages before any formal recognition of Palestine.
Israeli Ambassador to the UK Tzipi Hotovely accused Starmer and the government of 'rewarding' Hamas' actions through the pledge.
Kemi Badenoch, the opposition Conservative leader, said on Tuesday that Starmer had 'made a mistake' and 'what we need to focus on now is a ceasefire and getting the hostages home.'
Starmer told Channel 5 that the hostages held by Hamas and other militant groups had been held for a 'very, very long time in awful circumstances, unimaginable circumstances, and Hamas is a terrorist organization, and that's why I'm really clear about Hamas.'
He added: 'They should release the hostages straight away and they should play absolutely no part in the governance of Palestine at any point.'
The prime minister highlighted the terms of his pledge, and said: 'We do, alongside that, have to do all that we can to alleviate the awful situation on the ground in Gaza. We need aid in volume and at scale.'
The government had to do 'everything we can' to get aid in, working with other countries 'and it's in that context that I set out our position on recognition.'
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