Britain: Recognition of Palestine as a Country is Not a Reward to Hamas
The British government does not consider the decision to recognize “the State of Palestine” as a reward to Hamas.
The British government on Wednesday, July 30, rejected criticisms claiming that “Britain’s recognition of Palestine is a reward to the quasi-military group Hamas.”
Keir Starmer, the British Prime Minister, in an unprecedented move, gave Israel until September to take specific steps toward improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and if Israel fails to take action by that month, the British government will recognize the State of Palestine at the United Nations.
Starmer’s warning provoked a harsh reaction from Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister. Netanyahu said in this regard: “Such action is in fact a reward to Hamas and punishes the victims of this group’s border attack in 2023.”
Starmer, speaking on a television network the previous night, Tuesday, July 29, said: “Now the time has come; the people of Gaza are suffering greatly.” Referring to the fact that the prospects for a two-state solution, namely “recognition of Palestine as an independent state alongside Israel and in peace,” are disappearing, he announced a session of the UN General Assembly on decision-making regarding Palestine.
He said in this regard: “If Israel does not take concrete measures to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, refrain from annexing the West Bank, and commit to a long-term peace process to achieve a two-state solution, Britain will recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly session to be held in September.”
Heidi Alexander, British Minister of Transport, also in response to the criticisms, said: “Recognizing Palestine as an independent country is not a reward to Hamas. Hamas is a despicable terrorist organization that has committed terrible crimes. The issue now is the Palestinian people and children who are dying of hunger in Gaza. We must increase pressure on the Israeli government to remove restrictions and allow humanitarian aid to reach Gaza again.”
The French government also, in support of Britain’s decision, announced that if Israel takes no action, it will recognize the State of Palestine in September.
Donald Trump, the U.S. President, also in response to the criticisms, said: “I don’t think Hamas will be rewarded by recognizing Palestinian independence.”
