The UK officially recognises Palestine as a state – but what does that actually mean?

After three years of increased public attention on the Israel-Palestine war, Keir Starmer made an address over the weekend where he said the UK recognises Palestine as a state. This was followed by Australia, France and Canada making the same commitment. The prime minister said he made this decision to “revive the hope of peace and a two-state solution”. But what does this actually mean?

What even is recognition as a ‘state’ and why is it a big deal?

A big part of the conflict between Israel and Palestine is their disagreement on whether Palestine has a right to exist as a state, and where its borders are. Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has consistently denied Palestinian statehood since he came into office in 2022.

151 of the 193 UN states recognise Palestine as a state, with countries like India and Nigeria recognising Palestinian statehood as far back as 1988. By recognising Palestine as a state, Keir Starmer is saying the UK’s stance is Palestine is a real place, with real borders, and can’t be illegally occupied.

“Today, we join over 150 countries who recognise a Palestinian state,” Keir Starmer said in his official address. “A pledge to the Palestinian and Israeli people that there can be a better future.”

What does this actually change with the Israel-Palestine conflict?

By recognising Palestine, Keir Starmer has basically made it official that Palestinians have a right to exist in their homeland. This means that attacks on what Keir and the rest of the UN consider Palestine is a crime, as well as unlawful occupation of Palestinian land.

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Netanyahu has already responded to this move in a video posted online, saying: “I have a clear message to those leaders who recognise a Palestinian state after the horrific massacre on October 7 — you are handing a huge reward to terror.”

“It will not happen,” he continued. “A Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan.”

The UN has officially labelled the conflict in Palestine as a genocide, and recognition of statehood is a huge step towards policy changes to stop the war.

What actually is the two-state solution?

by Ian Hutchinson via Unsplash

Keir Starmer said his decision to recognise Palestinian statehood is part of his attempt to put a two-state solution back on the table. A two-state solution is basically resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict by splitting what was Mandatory Palestine from 1920 to 1948 into Israel and Palestine.

Loads of countries support this approach. An international summit is being held a day before the United Nation’s general assembly in New York, which will mostly focus on the two-state solution as a way to end Israel’s war on Gaza.

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Featured image via: Simon Dawson / No10 Downing Street and Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona via Unsplash