UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s vow to formally recognize the state of Palestine if Israel does not move to end its war in Gaza has drawn sharp condemnation from both Israel and the United States, who accuse him of undermining efforts to isolate Hamas.

Speaking on Tuesday, Starmer said the UK would grant recognition to Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September unless Israel takes “substantive steps” toward ending the violence, agreeing to a ceasefire, and reviving the two-state peace process.

“If Israel doesn’t commit to a path toward peace, the UK will act,” Starmer said, referencing the growing humanitarian disaster in Gaza. “We see starving babies, children too weak to stand — the suffering must end. Now is the moment to act.”

His comments sparked outrage from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who responded on X (formerly Twitter): “Starmer rewards Hamas’s monstrous terrorism and punishes its victims. A jihadist state on Israel’s border TODAY will threaten Britain TOMORROW.” US President Donald Trump echoed the sentiment, warning, “You’re rewarding Hamas if you do that.”

Diplomatic Fallout and Internal Pressure

Starmer’s announcement followed a phone call with Netanyahu, during which the British leader explained his position. The decision comes amid growing domestic and international pressure, with several UK cabinet members and opposition lawmakers calling for recognition of Palestine, following similar steps by France.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron recently stated he would support Palestinian statehood at the same UN session, drawing parallel criticism from Israeli and US officials.

UK-Israel relations have been strained, particularly after Britain suspended certain arms exports to Israel and sanctioned two Israeli ministers for inciting violence. Despite that, Starmer insisted recognition would only proceed if Hamas also meets conditions — including releasing all hostages, disarming, and stepping away from governance in Gaza.

No Impact Yet, But Symbolism Matters

While Britain’s leverage in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is limited, the diplomatic gesture carries significant symbolic weight. Starmer has been under rising political pressure to respond more assertively to the crisis, as images of famine and destruction in Gaza dominate headlines.

The war, now in its 10th month, began after Hamas fighters attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and abducting 250. Israel’s retaliatory campaign has killed nearly 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry, and devastated the enclave’s infrastructure.

Though Starmer met with Trump in Scotland this week, the two leaders did not discuss the recognition plan directly. “We never discussed this, surprisingly,” Trump told reporters.