Latest news with #PalestineRecognitionBill
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
U.K. party threatens to 'force vote' on recognising Palestinian state
A minor opposition party in the British parliament on Sunday (July 27, 2025) threatened to bring forward legislation on recognising Palestinian statehood and "force a vote" if Prime Minister Keir Starmer continues to oppose the move. The Scottish National Party (SNP), which pushes for the independence of Scotland, said it would table a "Palestine Recognition Bill" when parliament returns after its summer recess if Starmer did not change his position. The Prime Minister has committed to recognising Palestinian statehood but said it must be part of a peace process in the Middle East. The SNP threat comes after more than 220 British MPs, including dozens from Starmer's ruling Labour party, demanded on Friday that the U.K. government follow France and recognise a Palestinian state. The call, in a letter signed by lawmakers from nine U.K. political parties, came less than 24 hours after French President Emmanuel Macron said that his country would formally do so at a U.N. meeting in September. "Unless Keir Starmer stops blocking U.K. recognition of Palestine, the SNP will introduce a Palestine Recognition Bill when Parliament returns in September and force a vote if necessary," said Stephen Flynn, SNP's leader in the U.K. parliament. "Keir Starmer must stop defending the indefensible, finally find a backbone and demand that Israel ends its war now," he added. If France formally recognises a Palestinian state it would be the first G7 country -- and the most powerful European nation to date -- to make the move. Mr. Starmer has come under rising domestic and international pressure over recognising Palestinian statehood, as opposition intensifies to the ongoing war in Gaza amid fears of mass starvation there. The U.K. leader on Saturday spoke to his French and German counterparts and outlined U.K. plans to airdrop aid to people in Gaza and evacuate sick and injured children, his office said. The SNP holds nine seats in the 650-seat UK parliament.
The Journal
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Scottish party to force Palestine recognition vote as UK government faces pressure on Gaza
THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL Party (SNP) is threatening to bring the fight over Palestinian statehood to Parliament in the UK, aiming to corner Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the issue. Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader, said he would table a 'Palestine Recognition Bill' in the Commons when UK parliament returns from recess unless the Prime Minister changes his position. It comes after 221 MPs – the majority Labour, along with Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, SNP, Greens, Plaid Cymru, SDLP and Independents – signed a letter calling on the Government to take the step. Starmer has faced mounting pressure after French President Emmanuel Macron announced France would formally recognise Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September, amid global anger at starvation in Gaza. The SNP said it would table the Bill to coincide with the gathering of world leaders, and Flynn said the Government could not 'stand idly by in the face of what is happening'. The UK Prime Minister has committed to recognising Palestinian statehood, but said it must be part of a peace process in the Middle East. Advertisement 'Unless Keir Starmer stops blocking UK recognition of Palestine, the SNP will introduce a Palestine Recognition Bill when Parliament returns in September and force a vote if necessary,' Flynn said. Stephen Flynn said the Government could not 'stand idly by'. PA PA He added: 'Keir Starmer must stop defending the indefensible, finally find a backbone and demand that Israel ends its war now.' Close attention will be paid to how any potential vote plays out, after the Uk parliament descended into chaos last February when the SNP used one of its Opposition Day Debates to press for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Labour, then the official opposition, responded by tabling an amendment to the motion with different wording, and the then-Tory government put forward a separate one calling for an 'immediate humanitarian pause'. Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle came under fire at the time for breaking with convention to select both the Labour and Government, which he said was to give MPs the 'widest range' of options to consider. The SNP said they were being denied an opportunity to have a vote on their motion, which was originally meant to be the focus of the debate, and the Speaker later apologised.
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Scottish National Party to 'force a vote' on recognising State of Palestine
The Scottish National Party has threatened to bring forward legislation on recognising Palestinian statehood and "force a vote" if UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer continues to oppose the move. The party, which pushes for the independence of Scotland, said it would table a "Palestine Recognition Bill" when the UK parliament returns after its summer recess if Mr Starmer did not change his position. The prime minister has committed to recognising Palestinian statehood but said it must be part of a peace process in the Middle East. The SNP threat comes after more than 220 British MPs, including dozens from Mr Starmer's ruling Labour party, demanded Friday that the UK government follow France and recognise a Palestinian state. The call, in a letter signed by lawmakers from nine UK political parties, came less than 24 hours after French President Emmanuel Macron said that his country would formally do so at a UN meeting in September. "Unless Keir Starmer stops blocking UK recognition of Palestine, the SNP will introduce a Palestine Recognition Bill when Parliament returns in September and force a vote if necessary," said Stephen Flynn, SNP's leader in the UK parliament. "Keir Starmer must stop defending the indefensible, finally find a backbone and demand that Israel ends its war now," he added. If France formally recognises a Palestinian state it would be the first G7 country - and the most powerful European nation to date - to make the move. Mr Starmer has come under rising domestic and international pressure over recognising Palestinian statehood, as opposition intensifies to the ongoing war in Gaza amid fears of mass starvation there. The UK leader yesterday spoke to his French and German counterparts and outlined UK plans to airdrop aid to people in Gaza and evacuate sick and injured children, his office said. The SNP holds nine seats in the 650-seat UK parliament.
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First Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
UK PM Starmer under pressure as over 220 MPs urge recognition of Palestinian state ahead of UN meet
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing growing pressure from over 220 MPs to recognise a Palestinian state, as Gaza reels under a worsening humanitarian crisis. The demand, led by Labour MP Sarah Champion, comes ahead of a UN summit and urges the UK to act on its long-standing support for a two-state solution. read more Macron and Starmer will jointly lead discussions with other European leaders on strengthening Ukraine's defence. Reuters/File Photo UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing mounting pressure from within his own Labour Party and across Parliament to formally recognise a Palestinian state, as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deepen. On Saturday, over 220 MPs — nearly a third of the House of Commons — signed a letter urging Starmer to announce the UK's recognition of Palestinian statehood at an upcoming United Nations conference. The move, led by Labour MP Sarah Champion, calls on the government to act on its longstanding support for a two-state solution. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The UK must now outline when and how it will deliver on its commitment to a two-state solution and work with international partners to make it a reality,' the letter stated. Champion emphasised that while recognition alone won't resolve the conflict, it would be a vital step toward peace. 'Recognition would send a powerful message to the Palestinian people — that they are not alone, and that peace is still possible,' she said. In an op-ed published Friday, Starmer called the situation in Gaza a 'humanitarian catastrophe' and announced plans to airdrop aid and evacuate critically ill children. However, he stopped short of supporting immediate recognition of Palestinian statehood. 'Recognition must come as part of a broader process that delivers lasting peace and security for both Palestinians and Israelis,' he wrote. 'It should be used as a tool to maximise impact for those who are suffering — which must always be our ultimate goal.' Amid this, Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Stephen Flynn issued a warning: if Starmer continues to block recognition, the SNP will table a Palestine Recognition Bill when Parliament returns in September — and force a vote if necessary. The domestic pressure mirrors a broader shift in European diplomacy. French President Emmanuel Macron announced this week that France would support Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly in September. The move drew sharp criticism from Israel and the US but was welcomed by pro-Palestinian advocates. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Germany and Italy, however, rejected the idea for now, citing the need for a negotiated settlement. Starmer has echoed similar concerns, maintaining that recognition should be part of a peace process — not a unilateral gesture.
The National
2 days ago
- Politics
- The National
SNP threaten to force Palestine recognition vote at Westminster
Stephen Flynn, the party's Westminster leader, said he would table a 'Palestine Recognition Bill' in the Commons when Parliament returns from recess unless the Prime Minister changes his position. It comes after 221 MPs – the majority Labour, along with Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, [[SNP]], Greens, Plaid Cymru, SDLP and Independents – signed a letter calling on the Government to take the step. Starmer has faced mounting pressure after French President Emmanuel Macron announced France would formally recognise [[Palestine]] at the UN General Assembly in September, amid global anger at starvation in Gaza. READ MORE: 'He belongs in The Hague': Keir Starmer fiercely criticised over Gaza speech The SNP said it would table the Bill to coincide with the gathering of world leaders, and Flynn said the Government could not 'stand idly by in the face of what is happening'. The Prime Minister has committed to recognising Palestinian statehood but said it must be part of a peace process in the Middle East. 'Unless Keir Starmer stops blocking UK recognition of Palestine, the SNP will introduce a Palestine Recognition Bill when Parliament returns in September and force a vote if necessary,' Flynn said. (Image: PA) He added: 'Keir Starmer must stop defending the indefensible, finally find a backbone and demand that Israel ends its war now.' Close attention will be paid to how any potential vote plays out, after the Commons descended into chaos last February when the SNP used one of its Opposition Day Debates to press for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Labour, then the official opposition, responded by tabling an amendment to the motion with different wording, and the then-Tory government put forward a separate one calling for an 'immediate humanitarian pause'. Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle came under fire at the time for breaking with convention to select both the Labour and Government, which he said was to give MPs the 'widest range' of options to consider. The SNP said they were being denied an opportunity to have a vote on their motion, which was originally meant to be the focus of the debate, and the Speaker later apologised.
