A group of senior Conservative Members of Parliament and House of Lords peers in the UK have publicly broken ranks with their party to urge the government to recognize Palestine as a state without delay. In a letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer drafted in late March, seven MPs and six peers called on the government to give formal recognition to Palestine, according to The Guardian.
This move comes ahead of crucial United Nations discussions scheduled for next month on the issue of Palestinian statehood. The letter was written shortly after Israel ended its fragile peace agreement with Hamas in March, and following the Israeli cabinet’s recent decision to “conquer” and occupy nearly all of the Gaza Strip, further escalating tensions and violence in the region.
The letter was organized by former government minister Kit Malthouse, who belongs to the moderate wing of the opposition Conservative Party. It emphasizes the longstanding hardships faced by the Palestinian people and argues that recognition would reaffirm Britain’s commitment to principles of justice, self-determination, and equal rights. The signatories state, “Recognising Palestine would affirm our nation’s commitment to upholding the principles of justice, self-determination, and equal rights. It would send a clear message that Britain stands against indefinite occupation and supports the Palestinian people’s legitimate aspirations.”
Among the signatories are also Conservative figures associated with the party’s right wing, including John Hayes and Desmond Swayne. While most UN member states recognize Palestine as a sovereign state, the UK, along with the US and many other European nations, has yet to do so officially.
Next month, Saudi Arabia and France will host a conference aimed at rallying international support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. French President Emmanuel Macron has indicated that France might recognize Palestine at the conference, and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said that the UK is discussing its plans with France for the event.
Despite the activism within the Conservative ranks, Prime Minister Starmer has not yet responded to the letter. It is also noteworthy that former Prime Minister David Cameron last year expressed support for Palestinian recognition as part of peace negotiations with Israel, framing it as a step towards a two-state solution rather than a reward.
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