Keir Starmer 'listening to hostages' as UK presses on with Palestine state plan
Keir Starmer has said the UK is 'steadfast' in its commitment to getting Hamas to release the remaining hostages after coming under pressure over his pledge to recognise a Palestinian state.
The Prime Minister said he was listening to concerns from hostages, including British Israeli woman Emily Damari, who was held captive by Hamas, who accused him of "moral failure". But he said the UK must "do everything we can to alleviate the human catastrophe in Gaza".
On Tuesday, Mr Starmer said the UK would recognise Palestine before the UN General Assembly in September unless Israel agreed to certain conditions, including taking steps to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and committing to a ceasefire. It comes as Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu 'completely lost it' with angry response to Keir Starmer.
The significant shift in the UK's position came after intense pressure from MPs and his own Cabinet amid public revulsion at scenes of starvation and suffering in Gaza. But the decision triggered alarm from hostage families over whether the UK would recognise Palestine while Hamas is still holding people captive.
Speaking to reporters in Swindon, Mr Starmer said: "I particularly listen to the hostages, Emily Damari, who I have spoken to - I've met her mother a number of times, and they've been through the most awful, awful experience for Emily and for her mother.
"And that's why I've been absolutely clear and steadfast that we must have the remaining hostages released. That's been our position throughout and I absolutely understand the unimaginable horror that Emily went through.
"Alongside that, we do need to do everything we can to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where we are seeing the children and babies starving for want of aid which could be delivered.
"That is why I've said unless things materially change on the ground, we'll have to assess this in September, we will recognise Palestine before the United Nations General Assembly in September."
Nearly 150 of the UN's 193 members have already recognised Palestinian state, and Canadian PM Mark Carney said that his government plans to take the step in September.
But a group of top lawyers warned it could break international law. In a letter to Attorney General Lord Hermer, some 40 cross-party peers said Palestine did not meet the legal criteria for recognition under a 1933 treaty known as the Montevideo Convention.
It says that under international law, a state must have a defined territory, a permanent population, an effective government and the ability to conduct diplomatic relations with other states. The peers argued that there is no certainty over the borders of Palestine and no single government.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds hit back, saying they must "look at the levers the UK has" to deliver peace. "I think to be honest, with respect to those colleagues, that is missing the point somewhat," he said.
Mr Reynolds said no conditions had been placed on Hamas as the UK does not negotiate with terrorist groups. He said: "We've been absolutely clear: it's our longstanding position that the hostages have to be released.
"It's also our longstanding position that Hamas can play no role in the future governance of Gaza or any Palestinian state. So those are our absolute conditions, but we will never be willing to negotiate with Hamas because they are a terrorist organisation."
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