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SvennoJ on 21 September 2025
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British reactions to UK’s decision to recognise Palestinian state

Layla Moran, a Liberal Democrat MP of Palestinian heritage, says an independent Palestinian state was a promise made by the UK to her grandfather, adding that while the move isn’t a silver bullet, “today we have just a little more hope, and hope is contagious”.

Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour leader, has congratulated those who pushed for this move and says the UK government should recognise the genocide in Gaza and halt arms sales to Israel.

Mel Stride, the Conservative shadow chancellor, told the BBC that the government should have held off recognition to keep it as leverage for future negotiations.

Scottish National Party leader John Swinney said: “The recognition of a Palestinian state is a historic moment which should have come long ago.”

Plaid Cymru, a Welsh separatist party, joined Corbyn in calling on the government to go further by imposing sanctions on Israel and stopping arms sales. In a post on X, Rhun ap Iorwerth, the party leader, said: “The UK has a moral and legal responsibility to ensure Israel complies with international law, and urgent action is needed to prevent further humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.”


Canada recognises Palestinian state: Carney

Canada has formally recognised the state of Palestine, according to Prime Minister Mark Carney.

“The current Israeli government is working methodically to prevent the prospect of a Palestinian state from ever being established. It has pursued an unrelenting policy of settlement expansion in the West Bank, which is illegal under international law. Its sustained assault in Gaza has killed tens of thousands of civilians, displaced well over one million people, and caused a devastating and preventable famine in violation of international law.

“It is now the avowed policy of the current Israeli government that there will be no Palestinian state.

“It is in this context that Canada recognises the State of Palestine and offers our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel.

Canada does so as part of a co-ordinated international effort to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution. While Canada is under no illusions that this recognition is a panacea, this recognition is firmly aligned with the principles of self-determination and fundamental human rights reflected in the United Nations Charter, and the consistent policy of Canada for generations.”


Australia recognises Palestinian state: Government

Australia’s government says in a statement that the country formally recognises the Palestinian state.


UK recognises Palestinian state

In a historic move, the United Kingdom has recognised a Palestinian state.

  • In the face of the growing horror in the Middle East, we are acting to keep alive the possibility of peace and a two-state solution that means a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state. At the moment, we have neither. Ordinary people in Israel and Palestine deserve to live in peace.
  • This solution is not a reward for Hamas because it means Hamas can have no future, no role in government, no role in security.
  • I have directed work to sanction other Hamas figures in the coming weeks.
  • Meanwhile, the man-made humanitarian crisis in Gaza reaches new depths. The Israeli government’s relentless and increasing bombardment of Gaza, the starvation and devastation are utterly intolerable.
  • With the actions of Hamas, the Israeli government escalating the conflict, and settlement building being accelerated in the West Bank, the hope of a two-state solution is fading, but we can’t let that light go out.