The UK is “committed” to recognising the state of Palestine, a minister has said – while refusing to give a timeline for when it might happen.
James Murray, the exchequer secretary to the Treasury, said any move to recognise the state of Palestine would have to be “part of a pathway to peace”.
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It comes as Sir Keir Starmer is coming under growing pressure from his MPs to make the diplomatic move after images of starving children emerged from Gaza, prompting an intervention from Live Aid organiser Bob Geldof, who called the situation a “disgrace”.
Emmanuel Macron, the French president, has already stated he will recognise a Palestinian state at the UN general assembly in September.
Israel has condemned the proposal, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying it “rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became”.
Appearing on Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, Mr Murray said Sir Keir had made the question of Palestinian statehood “absolutely clear”.
“It’s not a question of if, what we now need to focus on is how do we make Palestinian statehood a reality,” he said.
However, he said the move should only be taken to “galvanise change”.
“As a government, we’re committed to the recognition of Palestine, but we need to work with international partners and we need to use that moment to galvanise change.
“It needs to be part of a pathway to peace.
“140 countries have already recognised Palestine. The suffering is still continuing.”
Mr Murray also confirmed that Sir Keir will raise the issue of Gaza when he meets…
