logo
Recognising Palestine will consign Britain and France to total irrelevance

Recognising Palestine will consign Britain and France to total irrelevance

Telegraph5 days ago
The current warmth between Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron may have opened the door to greater co-operation between France and the UK, but the Prime Minister must resist the French president's ardent desire for the entente amicale to extend to premature recognition of the state of Palestine.
Announcing an annual national day of commemoration for Alfred Dreyfus (the Jewish army captain wrongly imprisoned for treason in 1894) last week, President Macron had the audacity to warn of the 'demons of anti-Semitism' while urging his Western allies to join him in entrenching an anti-Israel bias that would supercharge those demons.
It is barely believable that any liberal democracy would think that this could be the moment to reward the terrorist regime and its proxies by recognising the state of Palestine – before any peace deal or path to stability is agreed, and while the region is a tinderbox and the butchers of October 7 2023 are still keeping hostages from their families after the horrendous mass murder and rape of Jewish civilians.
Yet that is precisely what Macron is continuing to press on Sir Keir. The Prime Minister deserves credit for resisting so far. But the fact that France is stepping up the campaign for recognition, rather than stepping back, continuing to lobby the UK and the EU, shows that Starmer must go beyond privately saying 'pas encore' to this absurdly damaging suggestion.
To be clear, as a former chairman of Labour Friends of Israel, I am deeply committed to the ultimate goal of two sovereign states, Israel and Palestine, living securely and independently at peace. The alternatives are either a greater Israel with no justice for Palestinians, or the terrorists' goal of wiping Israel off the map completely. Both are unconscionable.
But it is post-empire arrogance to think that countries such as the UK and France, looking in from the outside, can short-circuit the process by officially recognising Palestine as a state without any agreement between the people who will have to live side by side and make it work.
Announcing recognition like this will not make Starmer and Macron key players in the push for peace. The gesture would do the opposite; it would indefinitely sideline France and Britain from the difficult discussions ahead in the Middle East after many years in which their friendship with Israel had made the countries genuinely influential in this vital area.
The consequence of recognising Palestine now, in the shadow of a conflict triggered by the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, would do more damage than just making the UK seem weak and ineffective on the international stage. It would be seen as Britain rewarding the Islamist terrorists of Hamas and Hezbollah, and bolstering their Iranian puppet masters, who are dedicated to exporting violence and anti-Semitism to undermine our liberal freedoms in the West.
It is wrong to view any international diplomacy through the prism of the impact it will have on the government's domestic standing with voters. Leaders need to lead on the international stage and act in the UK's long-term strategic interest, not be buffeted by ever-changing opinion polls on intractable global issues.
So Labour should ignore siren voices urging it to recognise Palestine to win back discontented Muslim voters in communities where the rise of Gaza-focused independent politicians is a genuine electoral threat.
If party strategists are weighing up the domestic impact of any change on Labour's policy towards Palestine, they must bear in mind that the political backlash will surely outweigh the benefits. The Jewish community in Britain may be relatively small and contain a wide variety of views on Israel-Palestine, but Sir Keir should not underestimate how many British Jews will feel deeply disappointed in him if he makes this gesture on recognition now. Particularly after he has worked so hard to restore trust in Labour after the appalling anti-Semitism that stained the party during Jeremy Corbyn's leadership.
It is true that many Jews in Britain are dismayed by the increasingly hardline policies of the Netanyahu government and the scale of destruction in Gaza. That does not mean they will accept or forgive a futile diplomatic gesture on recognition that will be treated as a victory by Hamas.
And the domestic blowback of a Labour Government recognising Palestine now will not end there.
The solutions to conflict in the Middle East may not be top of the priority list of many white working-class voters in towns such as Barrow-in-Furness, which I used to represent in the House of Commons.
But sure as hell those Red Wall voters will hate the idea that Labour is being swayed by the crowds they see marching for Gaza, with all the extremism on display in those protests. That is exactly what they will be told by Nigel Farage and his new army of Reform councillors in key electoral battlegrounds if Labour moves its position.
And just as Hamas would be emboldened by the sense their actions have results, so would the organisers of the marches feel their aggressive tactics have been vindicated – encouraging fresh militancy.
Decisions facing leaders on international affairs are often delicately balanced. Prematurely recognising the state of Palestine should not be one of those decisions.
The Prime Minister is showing strength and deft judgment on other security issues, such as Ukraine and the need for rearmament. He should reject this nonsense and sideline anyone around him who is urging him down this path.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

This is no time for Britain to recognise Palestine
This is no time for Britain to recognise Palestine

The Independent

time13 minutes ago

  • The Independent

This is no time for Britain to recognise Palestine

Although some 140 nations now recognise Palestine as a sovereign state, France is the first G7 member to take this decisive, historic step. It is, in truth, a purely symbolic move, given the savage reaction to it in Tel Aviv and the contemptuous statement in response issued by the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio. It comes as Gaza is stalked by famine, something that has moved emotions across the world, though Emmanuel Macron did not specifically mention the starvation crisis taking the lives of innocent civilians. The French president clearly believes that, at this juncture, some dramatic gesture is necessary, and it will be formally declared by him at the United Nations General Assembly next month. In many quarters, it will be warmly welcomed. It also adds to the growing domestic political pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to follow suit. But the arguments are more finely balanced than is sometimes apparent to people on all sides of this issue. For the moment – and at this particular moment, when Donald Trump is arriving in Scotland for informal talks with the prime minister – the UK should not follow the example of the French. Given Sir Keir's unusually warm personal relationship with President Trump, he is at least more likely than the French president to be able to exert some pressure on the Americans to persuade Israel to end the hunger, arrange a ceasefire, and set the initial conditions for progress towards peace, unlikely as that may feel now. Had the British government immediately recognised full Palestinian statehood, Mr Trump would probably have addressed Sir Keir in similar, if not earthier, terms to those used by Secretary Rubio about the French: 'This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th.' As a matter of fact, the diplomatic recognition of Palestine by France and other countries has been prompted more by the way in which Israel has conducted its war in Gaza, and failed to control illegal settlement in the West Bank, than by any desire to appease Hamas terrorists. If, in other words, Israel's military invasion had concluded by, say, the end of 2023, and there'd been no famine or systematic destruction of civilian infrastructure, France and the others would not have felt impelled to 'do something'; to recognise Palestine while there is still something to recognise. And President Macron was careful to make his announcement to Palestine's president Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Authority, and not to Hamas. He also, correctly, demanded the return of the hostages. Britain was the last colonial power in Palestine, and for Britain to recognise its independence would, arguably, have a particular political impact. But it would not, realistically, make much difference on the ground today. Bluntly, it would not save the life of a single Palestinian infant suffering from chronic malnutrition, whereas pressure from President Trump on Tel Aviv at least carries some prospect of opening up access for humanitarian aid. Such limited diplomatic leverage as post-Brexit Britain possesses in this region must of necessity be used to the best advantage of the people of Palestine. So, heartbreaking as the striking images coming out of Gaza undoubtedly are – and they stand as prima facie evidence of war crimes – Sir Keir should resist the pressure to take this step, because it would make zero difference now, and could well make matters worse. Gestures that bring change and are well-timed are more useful to the Palestinians than are the futile variety. That said, the prime minister will find it difficult to manage his party on this issue, once the Commons reassembles and he must face the Labour conference. A substantial number of his backbench MPs have already openly declared that the UK must recognise Palestine. This sentiment is reflected in other parties, including among some Conservatives, as is also evidenced in the latest report by the foreign affairs select committee. Some of Sir Keir's senior colleagues, such as Wes Streeting and Peter Kyle, have made little secret of their own impatience about the recognition of Palestinian statehood. The foreign secretary, David Lammy, may not be far behind; he is plainly exhausted by having to stick to the government's line. The trend points to Sir Keir being defeated on the Palestine question in the Commons and at his own party conference. Given that diplomacy sits firmly within the royal prerogative, such votes cannot force him to do anything, outside making an extraordinary 'humble address' to the monarch to instruct his ministers to do so. Yet such manoeuvrings would weaken his already diminished authority further. In defence, Sir Keir can also point to the text of the Labour manifesto commitment, much referred to, which is deliberately ambiguous and does not pledge immediate recognition: 'We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state as a contribution to a renewed peace process which results in a two-state solution with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.' For the moment, the prime minister is not alone in the G7 – Germany has also declined to join with France – and he does have support in the House, including from most of the Conservatives. However, on Palestine, as with welfare reform and much else, he will need to work harder than ever this autumn to win the argument.

UK, France and Germany tell Israel to lift restrictions on aid in Gaza
UK, France and Germany tell Israel to lift restrictions on aid in Gaza

The Independent

time13 minutes ago

  • The Independent

UK, France and Germany tell Israel to lift restrictions on aid in Gaza

Britain, France, and Germany have jointly demanded that Israel immediately lift restrictions on the flow of aid into Gaza to alleviate the severe hunger crisis. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has resisted calls for immediate recognition of a Palestinian state, asserting it must be a step within a broader pathway to peace and a two-state solution. This position follows France's decision to recognise Palestine and comes amid pressure from 221 cross-party MPs and divisions within Sir Keir's own cabinet. Sir Keir described the situation in Gaza as 'appalling' and 'unrelenting,' condemning Israel's 'disproportionate military escalation' and the denial of humanitarian aid as 'indefensible'. Separately, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel is considering 'alternative options' to ceasefire talks with Hamas, blaming the group for obstructing a hostage release deal.

Keir Starmer resists pressure to recognise Palestine now as 220 MPs back call
Keir Starmer resists pressure to recognise Palestine now as 220 MPs back call

Daily Mirror

time14 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

Keir Starmer resists pressure to recognise Palestine now as 220 MPs back call

Keir Starmer said recognition of a Palestinian state must come as a part of a pathway to a lasting peace as 220 MPs pile pressure on PM amid horror over Gaza scenes Keir Starmer has resisted calls to immediately move to recognise a Palestinian state and said it must come as part of a "pathway to peace" ‌ French President Emmanuel Macron said France would take the step at the UN General Assembly in September, piling pressure on the UK to follow suit. But the declaration sparked anger in Israel and Washington, with Donald Trump telling reporters that 'what he (Macron) says doesn't matter". ‌ Mr Starmer is facing pressure from his Cabinet and MPs to act amid mass starvation in Gaza. Some 221 MPs - a third of the House of Commons - signed a letter tonight urging the PM to formally acknowledge Palestine statehood at a UN conference next week. ‌ Writing in the Mirror, Mr Starmer said starvation and desperation in Gaza is "utterly horrifying" and the UK was scaling up its efforts to evacuate children who need medical help and to get aid in. ‌ "It is a humanitarian catastrophe. And it must end now," he said. "We will pull every lever we have to get food and lifesaving support to the Palestinian people immediately." The PM said recognition of a Palestinian state must come as a part of a pathway to a lasting peace in the region. "It must be part of a wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution and lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis," he said. "This is the way to ensure that recognition is a tool of maximum impact to improve the lives of those who are suffering – which must always be our ultimate goal." ‌ The UK and its allies must work together to end the suffering, he said, pointing to efforts to form a "Coalition of the Willing" to support a potential peace deal in Ukraine. The PM is expected to raise the situation in Gaza with Donald Trump next week while the US President visits his golf courses in Scotland. The talks come at a pivotal moment, and may allow Mr Starmer to use the relationship he has built with Mr Trump to press for the US to take a tougher stance. ‌ But Mr Starmer is facing pressure himself to go further. 221 MPs from different political parties have joined forces to call on the Government to recognise a Palestinian state at a UN conference in New York next week. In a letter, coordinated by Labour MP Sarah Champion, they said: "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 on a two-state solution; as well as how it will work with international partners to make this a reality." Ms Champion acknowledged "recognition alone will not end the suffering in Gaza or the rapid expansion of settlements and settler violence in the West Bank". But she said it would be an important step on the path towards a two-state solution to end the war. ‌ She added: "Recognition would send a powerful symbolic message that we support the rights of the Palestinian people, that they are not alone and they need to maintain hope that there is a route that leads to lasting peace and security for both the Israeli and the Palestinian people." Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Britain's most senior Muslim politician, has said the move would send a strong message to Israel and was the 'best mechanism to get us through a peace process'. Health Secretary Wes Streeting also called for recognition "while there's still a state of Palestine left to recognise". In a statement tonight alongside the leaders of France and Germany, the Prime Minister urged "all parties to bring an end to the conflict by reaching an immediate ceasefire". Mr Starmer, Mr Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also called for Israel to stop restricting the flow of aid into Gaza.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store