UK JOINS OTHERS IN FORMALLY RECOGNISING PALESTINIAN STATE

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has released a video statement on social media recognising a Palestinian state.

In the video, Starmer says it keeps “alive the possibility of peace” and insists the UK will “keep fighting to bring” home Israeli hostages.

Just before the UK’s announcement, Canada became the first G7 nation to voice their allegiance to Palestine. Shortly after that, Australia also recognised a Palestinian state.

Not everyone is happy with Starmer’s announcement.

Israel’s foreign ministry said “recognition is nothing but a reward for jihadist Hamas”, while families of British hostages in Gaza expressed their concern in an open letter addressed to Starmer.

In the letter, the families say recognition “complicates efforts to bring home our loved ones”.

But the question most people ask is, what does recognising a Palestinian state mean?

According to the BBC, “Palestine is a state that does and doesn’t exist.

“It has a large degree of international recognition, diplomatic missions abroad and teams that compete in sporting competitions, including the Olympics. But due to the Palestinians' long-running dispute with Israel, it has no internationally agreed boundaries, no capital and no army.”

With the UK, Canada and Australia recognising Palestine as a state, it now brings the number of members who agree to 150 out of the 193 United Nations members. This means, just over 78% of all UN members.

Image credit: The Independent