London, July 28, 2025 — A cross-party coalition of British lawmakers has warned the government that they will "force a parliamentary vote" on recognising the State of Palestine, amid a renewed push across Europe to formalise the two-state solution.

The bold move came in a joint letter signed by MPs from nine different political parties, including members of Labour, Liberal Democrats, the Scottish National Party (SNP), Greens, Plaid Cymru, and even a few Conservative backbenchers.

This collective action follows a statement by French President Emmanuel Macron, who confirmed that France will officially support recognition of Palestine at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September 2025.

Palestinian statehood returns to centre of UK foreign policy debate

The letter addressed to UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Prime Minister Keir Starmer urges immediate parliamentary engagement on the issue, stating:

"The time has come for the United Kingdom to stand firmly on the right side of history and recognise the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people."

The signatories argue that recognising Palestine as a sovereign state is not just symbolic, but a pragmatic step towards reviving the stalled peace process and deterring future escalations in the region.

European momentum grows after Macron's announcement

On Sunday, Macron said during a joint press conference with Arab League leaders in Cairo:

“France is prepared to formally recognise the Palestinian State at the United Nations General Assembly this September. The time for half-measures is over.”

Macron’s declaration has intensified pressure on fellow European countries, especially permanent members of the UN Security Council like the UK, to take a definitive stance.

UK's historical position and changing dynamics

The UK has long maintained a balanced policy on Israel-Palestine, supporting a two-state solution in principle, but has not granted formal recognition to a Palestinian state.

• In 2014, a symbolic motion in the House of Commons urged the government to recognise Palestine, but it was non-binding.

• As of July 2025, 139 of the 193 UN member states officially recognise the State of Palestine.

• Israel strongly opposes such recognition, claiming it undermines bilateral negotiations.

However, with the recent war in Gaza and mounting global criticism of Israeli settlement policies, pressure is mounting for Western nations to recalibrate their diplomatic posture.

Labour government’s position remains cautious

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government has so far not committed to a specific timeline for recognition.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has stated that the UK’s goal is to "advance meaningful negotiations", but has not ruled out recognition in the near future.

Sources close to 10 Downing Street say there are ongoing consultations with EU allies and the US regarding the timing and geopolitical consequences of any such vote.

Conservative MPs divided, but signs of softening stance

While the majority of Conservative MPs remain aligned with Israel’s position, a growing number of Tory backbenchers have expressed openness to supporting recognition, especially after recent civilian casualties in Gaza and calls for an end to the humanitarian crisis.

One unnamed Conservative MP told British media:

“You can support Israel’s right to exist and also acknowledge that Palestinians deserve sovereignty and dignity. These are not mutually exclusive.”

What happens next?

• If the cross-party MPs succeed in securing enough support, they could trigger a binding vote in the House of Commons as early as mid-August.

• Any such vote, even if symbolic, would mark a major shift in UK foreign policy posture, especially if the government chooses to formally endorse the resolution.

Palestinian and Israeli reactions

• The Palestinian Mission to the UK welcomed the letter, calling it “a long-overdue recognition of a people denied justice for decades”.

• The Israeli Embassy in London, on the other hand, condemned the move, warning that unilateral recognition “will embolden terrorism and undermine peace efforts”.

Conclusion

With France stepping forward, and UK lawmakers turning up the pressure, September’s UN meeting may become a historic flashpoint for the formal recognition of Palestinian statehood by the Western world.

If the UK Parliament does go ahead with a vote, it would reflect a wider European shift in public opinion and political will, potentially redrawing the diplomatic contours of the Middle East peace process.

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