There must be no caveats for Palestinian state recognition, Starmer
The UK Government’s promise to recognise Palestine as a state should not be conditional, say the Scottish Greens.
Today’s announcement by the Prime Minister saw Keir Starmer offer an opportunity for Palestine to be recognised as a state at the UN General Assembly in September, unless Israel enacts an immediate ceasefire, and commits to working towards a lasting two-state solution. He also said there must be no annexing of the West Bank.
The Scottish Greens have always recognised the state of Palestine, separately from the state of Israel, and believe in the Palestinian people’s right to freedom, sovereignty and life without harm. We have continually called for an end to the occupation, and lasting peace for people in Gaza to rebuild their lives, and we will continue to do so.
Under the conditions set by Starmer, the state of Israel can decide to ignore his calls and continue carrying out horrific acts including displacement, murder and mass starvation of innocent civilians: children, adults and the elderly alike.
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie MSP said:
“Recognition of Palestine is decades overdue, and should not be conditional. It implies that if Israel agrees to pause the atrocities it's committing, then the UK will in fact not join the majority of the world in recognising Palestine. This is an insult to the Palestinians’ right to self determination.
“What we are witnessing are some of the worst war crimes recorded in recent history, often live streamed by the perpetrators, and they are happening almost completely unchecked.
“Gaza has been decimated, entire generations of families have been wiped out, and the most basic universal human rights have been stripped away from people. Keir Starmer’s words would carry some meaning if he immediately recognised the state of Palestine, called out the ongoing genocide, and stopped aiding and abetting the Israeli military by helping train their personnel or allowing UK-based arms dealers to sell them weapons for profit.
“There have been countless opportunities for this Labour government to give Palestinians state recognition, as well as the promise of lasting ceasefires that have not been upheld by the state of Israel. Starmer must act now, without delay, and end this shameful abandonment of a nation at risk of being extinguished by genocide.
“Even if recognition for Palestine does come, it must be only the beginning - a moment when the international community steps in to stop the slaughter, end the occupation, and hold Israel’s leaders to account for their crimes in front of the International Criminal Court.”