From a British point of view, this is a real changepublished at 20:03 British Summer Time 29 July

20:03 BST 29 July

Jeremy Bowen
International editor, in Jerusalem

This is a big change in British foreign policy.

The government will know it is highly unlikely Israel will agree to the conditions Britain has put forward.

The current Israeli government is absolutely against progress toward a two-state solution.

It is more than simply against it as an idea - there are people in government upon whose political support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu depends – people who have been speaking in the last 24 hours about their hopes of annexation of land that Palestinians want for a two-state solution.

These are not just reports in the Israeli press about an Israeli plan to annex parts of Gaza - but statements from the country’s finance minister who is driven by a combination of nationalism and religion.

He says, “people are asking me why I'm staying in the government, I'm going to stay in the government because good things are going to happen.” By good things he means taking land that Palestinians want for a state and incorporating it in the Jewish state.

I think it’s highly unlikely that as currently constituted the Israeli government will accept the UK’s conditions.

It is possible Netanyahu might decide he can reconstitute his government in such a way to accept all of that, but it seems unlikely.

Plus, the Americans have been absolutely condemnatory of the United Nations conference that UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has been speaking at around a two-state solution.

The US state department put out a strong statement yesterday using a harsh tone condemning it as a reward for terrorism - saying it was interfering with America's own plans to bring a wider peace in the Middle East.

But from the British point of view, this is a real change.

It was only a month or so ago that I was hearing from diplomatic sources that they wanted to progress towards recognition in concert with the French, but what they wanted to do was to impose benchmarks on the Palestinian side - now they're imposing benchmarks on the Israeli side.

Following our last post, we've got more reaction to bring you from UK politicians:

• Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey says today's announcement is a "crucial step towards the two-state solution", but adds that Sir Keir Starmer should go further and "recognise Palestine right away" rather than using it "as a bargaining chip"
• Labour's Liam Byrne praises the move, saying "the PM has set out the hugely important roadmap to the recognition of Palestine. It can’t come too soon"
• Conservative Ben Obese-Jecty says similar to his party's leader (see our last post) - that the move is "pure virtue signalling" from Starmer after being "railroaded by his MPs"
• Meanwhile, Green Party MP Ellie Chowns criticises the conditions Starmer set out in order for the UK to recognise a Palestinian state - including whether Israel will allow the UN to restart the supply of aid. She says while such measures "are welcome and essential steps towards a ceasefire and a peaceful solution, they must not be an alternative to recognising Palestinian statehood"

Image source, PA Media

We're now hearing from Kemi Badenoch, leader of the opposition in the UK government, who condemns Starmer's decision to conditionally recognise a Palestinian state as "political posturing at its very worst".

Writing on X, she says: "Recognising a Palestinian state won't bring the hostages home, won't end the war and won't get aid into Gaza."

In the same post, she writes that the UK is "looking for answers" on things like asylum hotels and the cost of living - criticising the move to recall his ministers during Parliament's summer recess "to try and sort out a political problem for the Labour Party".

Image source, Getty Images

Over in New York, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has been addressing the UN General Assembly - where Keir Starmer said earlier he would recognise Palestinian statehood unless Israel met certain conditions.

Lammy says the situation in Gaza in the 660 days since Hamas gunmen targeted Israeli border communities and took hostages has continued to worsen, and the "two-state solution is in peril".

He goes on:

"Let me be clear: the Netanyahu government rejection of the two-state solution is wrong. It’s wrong morally and it's wrong strategically.

"And so it is with the hand of history on our shoulders that his majesty’s government therefore intends to recognise the state of Palestine when the UN General Assembly gathers in September."

Like Starmer did earlier, Lammy notes this will happen unless the Israeli government does more to end the "appalling situation" in Gaza.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from Washington DC

Following our earlier post focused on the White House, we've now heard US President Donald Trump respond to Keir Starmer's announcement.

Trump, currently travelling to the US on Air Force One, says he "never discussed" the issue of Palestinian statehood while with Starmer - except for brief remarks made during the pair's impromptu Q&A on Monday.

"We [the US] have no view on that," Trump says. "We're going to get a lot of money to the area so they get some food."

"He [Starmer]'s going to also," he continues. "I think the European Union is going to put up money for food. Hopefully, it's going to be properly distributed."

The US president says he believes a "case could be made" that recognition of a Palestinian state is akin to "rewarding Hamas". "And I don't think they should be rewarded," he adds.

Rushdi Abualouf
Gaza correspondent, reporting from Istanbul

A senior Hamas official tells the BBC they've informed mediators in Qatar and Egypt that negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza will be halted while, in the words, the territory is under blockade and starvation.

Significant gaps remain on key issues in the talks, including Israeli troop withdrawals, aid distribution and a permanent end to hostilities.

Last week Israel withdrew negotiators from Qatar for additional consultations.

In a statement last Thursday, announcing the withdrawal of the US team from Doha, US envoy Steve Witkoff said: "While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be co-ordinated or acting in good faith.

"We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza."

We've had the first response through from the Israeli government - specifically the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The short statement says:

"Israel rejects the statement by the prime minister of the United Kingdom.

"The shift in the British government’s position at this time, following the French move and internal political pressures, constitutes a reward for Hamas and harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of hostages."

• As a reminder: Earlier, Starmer announced that the UK would recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel meets certain conditions - including taking "substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza", reaching a ceasefire and committing to a long-term peace process.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from Washington DC

We're yet to hear Donald Trump's thoughts on Keir Starmer's comments. He's currently in the air, travelling back from Scotland, where he met the British PM and discussed an array of issues - including the situation in the Middle East.

Just a short while ago, I asked the White House for any comment it may have on the decision announced by Starmer, to recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire and other conditions.

In response, a White House official pointed me towards comments Trump made during an impromptu Q&A with Starmer on Monday. "I'm not going to take a position. I don't mind him [Starmer] taking a position," Trump said at the time. "I'm looking for getting people fed right now."

The tone was different to that of the State Department, which yesterday put out a formal statement saying it "rejects" France's similar move to recognise a Palestinian state.

The announcement, the State Department statement added, "reflects a pattern of counterproductive gestures that only emboldens Hamas, encourages its obstruction of a ceasefire, and greatly undercuts our diplomatic efforts to end the suffering in Gaza".

In Washington, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce is scheduled to brief reporters soon - and will certainly face questions on the US stance towards the prime minister's announcement.

Just days ago, 221 MPs from nine political parties signed a letter to the prime minister and Foreign Secretary David Lammy, calling on them to recognise a Palestinian state.

That figure later increased to 255.

The letter said British recognition would be "particularly powerful" and since they have backed a two-state solution for years, recognition "would give that position substance".

Labour MP Sarah Champion, who chairs the international development select committee and who organised the letter, added that a two-state solution "remains the only viable proposal to secure a lasting peace for the region".

Some 147 MPs who signed the letter were from Keir Starmer's own party - including senior figures like former minister Liam Byrne and committee chair Ruth Cadbury.

• Here's the letter in full, if you'd like to read it:

Image source, X/SarahChampionMP

Image source, Reuters

Around 140 countries formally recognise a Palestinian state, although many European nations and the United States say they will only do so as part of moves towards a long-term resolution to the conflict with Israel.

Spain, Ireland and Norway formally took the step last year, hoping to exert diplomatic pressure to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.

France is not recognising a Palestinian state yet - it will do so, President Emmanuel Macron says, at the United Nations General Assembly in September. This is what Prime Minister Keir Starmer has now said the UK will do, too, unless Israel meets a raft of conditions.

At the United Nations (UN), representatives of Palestine currently have limited rights to participate in UN activity, and the territory is also recognised by various international organisations, including the Arab League.

Sceptics argue recognition would largely be a symbolic gesture unless questions over the leadership and extent of a Palestinian state are addressed first.

Speaking to the BBC last week, former UK Foreign Office boss Lord McDonald argued recognition itself "doesn't really amount to very much" - adding that it would "incense the Israelis, it would incense the Americans, and people would ask well where's the beef, what's the follow-up, and the follow up is very difficult to deliver".

• The UK will recognise Palestinian statehood in September, the government has said, unless "substantive" steps are taken by Israel to end the "appalling" situation in Gaza - among other conditions
• At a news conference, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the goal remains a "safe and secure" Israel alongside a "viable and sovereign" Palestinian state
• Asked about the timing, Starmer said today's announcement was driven both by the "intolerable" situation in Gaza and a concern that the possibility of a two-state solution is "reducing"
• He said this had been a "long-standing" Labour policy and formed part of a peace plan that the government has been working on for some time
• Asked why there are conditions attached to the move, Starmer said the UK's primary aim is to change the current situation on the ground both through the release of hostages and the delivery of aid. "This is intended to further that cause," he explained

The final question Starmer's asked is why the recognition of Palestinian statehood is conditional and how confident the PM is that a ceasefire can be reached by September.

Starmer says the UK government's primary aim is to change the situation on the ground - and reiterates that hostages must be released and aid must be able to enter.

"This is intended to further that cause," Starmer continues. "It's done now because I'm particularly concerned that the idea of a two-state solution is reducing and feels further away today than it has for many years".

Having finished that response, Starmer thanks the media for attending and leaves the room. We'll soon bring you a round-up of the key points he made, as well as some analysis. Stay with us.

Starmer takes questions after giving his statement.

He's asked two separate ones about the timing of this announcement and what impact recognising Palestinian statehood will have.

The PM says today's announcement has been driven by two things - the "intolerable situation" in Gaza and the concern that the "very possibility" of a two-state solution is "reducing".

In relation to the announcement being framed around the UN General Assembly, Starmer says he wanted to ensure this move "plays a part in changing the conditions on the ground" - including aid getting into Gaza.

He adds that this announcement forms part of an eight-part peace plan which, he says, the government has been working on for some time.

We're continuing to bring you lines from a news conference UK PM Keir Starmer just gave following an emergency meeting of his ministers.

Starmer says the UK's goal remains a "safe and secure" Israel alongside a "viable and sovereign" Palestinian state.

That goal however is under pressure "like never before", he says.

He adds he has always said the UK will recognise a Palestinian state as a contribution to a proper peace process at the moment of maximum impact.

The UK will recognise Palestinian statehood in September ahead of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Keir Starmer now says - before listing some conditions for this to happen.

According to a written handout of the cabinet meeting he held earlier, Starmer said this would happen "unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, reaches a ceasefire, makes clear there will be no annexation in the West Bank, and commits to a long-term peace process that delivers a two-state solution".

He also reiterated that there is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas and that the UK's demands on Hamas remain - that they must release all the hostages, sign up to a ceasefire, accept that they will play no role in the government of Gaza, and disarm.

Starmer committed to make an assessment ahead of UNGA on how far the parties have met these steps before making a final decision, ensuring that no one side will have a veto, the statement says.

Starmer, the UK prime minister, says UK aid has been airdropped into Gaza today.

There needs to be 500 trucks entering Gaza every day, he adds.

Ultimately, the only way this humanitarian crisis will end is through a "long-term settlement", he says - adding that he's supporting efforts for a ceasefire.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has just spoken to reporters following his emergency cabinet meeting to discuss the situation in Gaza.

He starts by saying that on October 7 2023 Hamas perpetrated the worst massacre in Israel's history - adding that the horror has continued "every day since then".

Turning to the current situation, he refers to starving babies and children too weak to stand - images that will stay with us "for a lifetime".

Harry Farley
Political correspondent, at Downing Street

Image source, EPA

As a cabinet meeting took place inside Downing Street earlier, outside there was a loud protest on Whitehall.

Pots were being banged and Palestinian flags waved. It was a visual demonstration of the strength of feeling among many for the situation in Gaza.

One Labour MP I spoke to has said it's the biggest issue in their inbox. "This has been my biggest post bag yet. Images of starvation and civilians being shot at has dwarfed everything else," they said.

The unusual cabinet meeting - one wasn't expected until Parliament returns in September - is an attempt to show the government is taking the issue seriously.

But many Labour MPs will now be watching for any shift in Keir Starmer's position as a result of this meeting, or any details of the European peace plan the PM hopes will bring a change in the ground in Gaza.

Image source, PA Media

Earlier today, Rachel Reeves told the BBC "everyone is horrified" by the situation in Gaza - but refused to be drawn on when the UK would recognise a Palestinian state.

The chancellor made the comments during a visit to a mine in Cornwall, before joining cabinet ministers for a meeting with the PM - which began a short while ago.

"It is vital that humanitarian aid can get into Gaza and it is also essential that the hostages - who've been held since the 7 October 2023 - are released," Reeves said, adding that these topics will all be discussed at today's emergency cabinet meeting.

Reeves didn't want to "pre-empt" those discussions, but added: "This government is committed to a two-state solution in the Middle East, with a safe and secure Israel sitting alongside a viable, and peaceful, Palestinian state."

Harry Farley
Political correspondent, at Downing Street

In London, Sarah Champion, the Labour MP who organised the letter signed by more than half of the party's backbenchers calling for the government to recognise a Palestinian state, tells me she thinks this is a "now or never moment":

Here's what she says in full:

"I really hope the cabinet realises there will never be a perfect moment to recognise the state of Palestine.

"What we do have, however, is the perfect storm to prevent a two-state solution ever happening - with the Knesset passing a motion for annexation and a likely ruling the 6 August allowing settlements to encircle East Jerusalem which will divide the West Bank for ever.

"It is now or never if we believe in Palestinians's right to recognition."

• For context: The BBC's Jeremy Bowen says UK PM Keir Starmer appears to be moving towards the idea of the UK recognising Palestinian statehood. In his analysis, shared in our page a little earlier, he also questions whether today's emergency cabinet meeting could move the dial.