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The National
18 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
UK recognition of Palestine 'highly likely' after Israel's furious reaction
Britain has boldly made its move on recognising a Palestinian state but the question remains, will Israel listen? It is less than likely that Israel will seek to fulfil the four conditions that Prime Minister Keir Starmer set out on Tuesday, in his major foreign policy reversal, as it has vehemently criticised the British move. But academics have told The National that there is a chance that the major change in UK foreign policy could influence the Israeli government's decisions. More importantly, with a number of countries moving towards recognition, including France, it could have an impact on Donald Trump's thinking. The US President, it is argued, is the only leader who can sufficiently influence Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. UK recognition of Palestine as a state is now 'highly likely' to happen in September as Israel will not meet the conditions set out, Sir William Patey, co-chairman of the Labour Middle East Council, told The National. While he believed that recognition should have been made without conditions, it would at least give the Palestinians 'some hope that the international community has not gone soft on a two-state solution, even if one is not immediately in prospect'. Sir William, who is a former British ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan, believes that Britain acting together with France and Saudi Arabia, could help 'end the carnage and to move things forward in a more positive light'. 'But they are up against the two most intransigent set of people that we've ever seen in the Middle East, Hamas and the most right-wing Israeli government that ever existed,' he added. President Sheikh Mohamed on Wednesday received a phone call from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer when he praised Mr Starmer's statements regarding Britain's intention to recognise the Palestinian state. He also stressed the priority of reaching an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and continuing the flow of humanitarian aid into the enclave. Israel rejection Mr Starmer's conditions demand that Israel ends the starvation in Gaza, achieves a ceasefire with Hamas, refrains from annexing the occupied West Bank and commits to the two-state solution, otherwise Britain will recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September. Israel's immediate response was to utterly reject the proposal with Mr Netanyahu condemning Mr Starmer's position as one that 'rewards Hamas's monstrous terrorism' and could ultimately threaten Britain. Co-operation on the conditions therefore seems unlikely, especially with a host of others pitching in, including former hostage and dual British-Israeli citizen Emily Damari, who said the UK's new policy would not 'advance peace – it risks rewarding terror' and sent a message 'that violence earns legitimacy'. There is also little hope from the Israeli opposition, with Yair Lapid, leader of the centrist Yesh Atid party, stating that Britain's position 'does not advance the two-state solution – if anything, it distances it'. Eyes on Trump The words are strong but ultimately all eyes will be on Mr Trump's reaction. 'Many people, even in Israel, really hope that this time Trump will be the one who will say, 'game over, no more war', and that it will put an end to the fighting,' said Dr Michael Milshtein, head of Palestinian studies at Tel Aviv University. The Israeli peace activist Gershon Baskin, who has close contacts with Hamas, agreed that 'everything is dependent – the war in Gaza, the hostages and agreements – on what Donald Trump does and nothing else'. 'If he tells Netanyahu to end the war, the war ends,' he added. 'If he tells Israel they can stay in Gaza, they'll stay in Gaza. If he says 'you got to get out of Gaza', they'll get out of Gaza.' He cited the Israeli government's rapid U-turn on aid after Mr Trump expressed dissatisfaction over the images of starving Gazan children as the far reach of this influence. So far, Mr Trump has been equivocal, stating he had 'no view' on the issue and did not vehemently object to it. 'I guess Starmer is doing the same thing as [French president] Macron, and that's OK. It doesn't mean I have to agree,' he said before departing Scotland on Tuesday. Pressure building But others see this as a longer-term shift that goes beyond Mr Netanyahu's time in office. Recognition is needed to 'kick-start a process' that would 'reach over the head of the Israeli government to the Israeli people' showing that 'this is the way forward', suggested MP Emily Thornberry, chairwoman of parliament's foreign affair committee. She told the BBC that Britain would remain 'long-term allies' with Israel but would not do so 'with this far-right government' and it is now down to Mr Trump to 'lean on' Mr Netanyahu Allied with France's decision last week to recognise Palestine, alongside the Netherland barring entry to Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, the UK's move could influence the US position. Just as Israel's population has been affected by images of starving Palestinians broadcast by its popular Channel 12 news, those same pictures are influencing Americans. 'People speak here about an international tsunami against Israel, that the gathering of American and European pressure on Israel can really have a massive impact,' said Dr Milshtein. 'Things can change' But what makes Mr Netanyahu highly unlikely to accept the British conditions is that the moment he agrees a ceasefire it will entail an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and his coalition government will almost certainly collapse. 'But everything is very dynamic, so things can change,' said Dr Milshtein. 'Right now it is Trump's opinion and let's see what will happen with that. He has already surprised us when he spoke about starvation in Gaza so it can happen again.' Bronwen Maddox, director of the Chatham House think tank, argued that Palestinian recognition would be an 'an unequivocal statement' that Britain views that as the only way to a secure future. 'The alternative to the creation of a Palestinian state is conflict without end, one that jeopardises Israel's security,' she added.
Bloomberg
a day ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Palestinian Recognition Is a Political Gesture, Not a Strategy
Britain and France, the two countries most responsible for Israel's creation, are set to punish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government for their abuses in Gaza by recognizing a Palestinian State. Will it make a blind bit of difference to suffering in the strip, or bring the creation of a Palestinian state any closer? Probably not. These decisions are not as they're being sold. They aren't considered foreign policy measures, crafted to push Israel's government to end the war, flood Gaza with food and medical aid, and kickstart a political process that would give hope for a future settlement. Suspending military aid to Israel might possibly help with that. Threatening to recognize a state of Palestine won't.
ABC News
4 days ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Penny Wong says there are 'challenges' to overcome before Palestinian recognition can happen
Hamas and hostages are two of the key barriers to Australia recognising a Palestinian state, according to Foreign Minister Penny Wong. The Albanese government is now publicly weighing up the best time to take a long-discussed step in recognising a Palestinian state, which it says could help further a peace process. French President Emmanuel Macron's move to announce France's intention to recognise Palestine in September, and his hope that other countries would follow suit, has sparked renewed conversations about the issue in a number of like-minded countries. Anthony Albanese confirmed yesterday that Australia would not follow the French lead and take similar steps imminently. Last year Penny Wong made a public shift in thinking on recognition, arguing it could come as "part of a peace process", not only at the "end of a peace process". But speaking with the ABC, Ms Wong said there were still hurdles that needed to be overcome. "[The prime minister] made the point — there are challenges associated with this," she said. "We have to see Hamas demilitarised. We have to see the hostages released. "We need to see progress in terms of the Palestinian Authority and its moves to a more democratic and accountable governance, and it's pleasing to see some of that happening." She said the ultimate purpose of recognition had not changed. "Ultimately what we want to see is two states," she said. "Because that is the only way in which we will see peace, stability and security for both Israelis and Palestinians." Yesterday the prime minister said it was his view that Israel was "quite clearly" breaching international law in Gaza, particularly through blocking aid deliveries. But the foreign minister stopped short of indicating Australia was willing to take further steps to ensure those laws were adhered to. In recent days, Israel has commenced some aid drops into Gaza, said it would open "humanitarian corridors" to allow UN aid to enter the strip, and scheduled pauses in fighting in some heavily populated areas. The moves were seen by some as due to growing international pressure over starvation across the territory. Last week, the foreign minister signed a joint letter, alongside 27 other countries, criticising the "inhumane killing" of Palestinians and condemning the "drip feeding of aid". Asked what more Australia might do, Ms Wong pointed to the steps already being taken. "We are not the central player in the Middle East, but we can continue to do what we have done, which is to work with others to collectively assert to Israel the importance of international law," she said. Asked if the government was coordinating with other like-minded countries on recognition, so as to move as one, Ms Wong said there was regular dialogue. "Obviously there's been a lot of engagement between the UK and US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand," she said. "These countries have worked together very closely, if you look at the statements that our leaders and foreign ministers have made over the months of this conflict, and we will continue to do that." Labor's rank and file, and some high-profile former MP's, are building pressure on the party to move faster on recognition. Labor's official party platform, which is non-binding on the parliamentary party, calls for recognition to be "an important priority". Former foreign minister Bob Carr said Australia should not be waiting for others to move before taking its own steps. "Australia's a middle power and our influence is indirect. We build our influence on this issue by working with like-minded [countries]," he said. "We shouldn't be giving the impression that we're waiting till Downing St decides to move before we will. "The opinion of Indonesia is more important to us than the opinion of the United Kingdom." The party is also facing pressure from its base, with Labor branches passing coordinated motions for stronger action on the conflict. Peter Moss from the group Labor Friends of Palestine said 81 Labor branches across the country had in recent weeks passed a motion calling for sanctions against Israel, including branches he believed represented "middle Australia". "Seven branches on the New South Wales Central Coast, another handful in Toowoomba," he said. "People we've never heard of contacting us from all over Australia saying, 'Can we get your motion? We want to pass this.' "And they do." But some in the Australian Jewish community are backing a cautious approach from the government. Alex Ryvchin, the co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said "symbolic" recognition would not be worthwhile. "Those who are truly concerned about human rights, about Palestinian statehood and sovereignty should be calling for the establishment of democratic institutions," he said. "For the hard work of actually building the state from the ground rather than symbolic declarations which achieve nothing."
Arab News
4 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan says wants ‘strongest relations' with US despite iron-clad partnership with China
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Sunday Islamabad wished for 'strongest relations' with the United States (US) despite enjoying an iron-clad partnership with Washington's rival, Beijing. Pakistan maintains a tricky balance in its relations with China and the US. While aligned with the US for military cooperation and counter-terrorism efforts, Islamabad has strengthened economic ties with Beijing through initiatives like the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Relations between Washington and Beijing have been strained over the past several years as both world powers compete for global influence in several domains. The US and China have disagreements over several issues such as trade, Taiwan, the South China Sea and China's Belt and Road Initiative. 'Our government and we have emphasized and will continue to emphasize that our relations and iron-clad brother partnership with China, our relations [with the US] should not be looked at through that lens,' Dar, speaking to the Pakistani community in New York, said during a televised address. 'We want strongest relations with the United States of America as well.' Dar pointed out that Islamabad, under the previous government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif from 2022-2023, had made it clear to Washington that this was its official policy. However, the Pakistani foreign minister said the Joe Biden administration did not engage with Islamabad. 'I'm glad that they [Trump administration] have actively engaged themselves with us,' Dar said. Dar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Friday in a face-to-face meeting, during which the American official recognized Pakistan's 'constructive role' for peace in the region and worldwide. The Pakistani deputy prime minister pointed out that this was the first time in nine years that the foreign ministers of the US and Pakistan had met each other. 'I would say the meeting was very cordial, we touched all the regional and global issues. We touched our bilateral issues,' he said. Dar is currently on an eight-day visit to the US till July 28, where he kept a busy schedule in New York and chaired several high-profile United Nations Security Council meetings under Pakistan's rotating presidency this month.
Malay Mail
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
In Dewan Rakyat today: Haj visa woes, foreign policy, current status of National Service Training Programme among highlights
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — Issues related to the Saudi Visa Bio application for Haj visa applications and the achievements of Malaysia's foreign policy during its Asean chairmanship are among the highlights of today's Dewan Rakyat sitting. According to the Order Paper on the Parliament's web portal, Manndzri Nasib (BN-Tenggara) will ask the Foreign Minister to explain efforts to strengthen Asean centrality and unity in facing current geopolitical challenges during the Minister's Question Time. During the same session, S. Kesavan (PH-Sungai Siput) will ask the Foreign Minister to outline the government's latest efforts to defend the rights of Muslims in Gaza following the brutality of the Israeli Zionist regime and the world's failure to halt such atrocities. In the question-and-answer (Q&A) session, Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Abd Muttalib (PN-Maran) will ask the Prime Minister about the government's efforts to resolve issues related to the Saudi Visa Bio application, which was found to be flawed when some Haj pilgrims failed to register their biometric data despite several attempts. Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (PH-Ledang) will pose a question to the Defence Minister regarding the current operational status of the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) 3.0, including the number of phases completed, number of recruits involved, training locations, and key changes introduced compared to earlier versions. Following the Q&A session, the sitting will continue with the first reading of the Fees (Pengkalan Kubor Ferry) (Validation) Bill 2025, followed by the second reading of the Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Offenders Compulsory Attendance (Amendment) Bill 2025. The Second Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament is scheduled to run for 24 days, with one of the key highlights being the tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan on July 31. — Bernama
