London, July 30, 2025 — The UK government has announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza, allows the United Nations to deliver humanitarian aid, and takes concrete steps toward long-term peace, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Tuesday.

Starmer’s statement comes amid growing public concern in Britain over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, where starvation and violence continue to escalate. The prime minister convened an extraordinary Cabinet meeting during the summer recess to address the crisis, following talks with former U.S. President Donald Trump in Scotland.

The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who condemned Starmer’s decision and accused him of supporting “Hamas’ monstrous terrorism.”

Meanwhile, a coalition of prominent Israeli public figures—including academics, artists, and former officials—has called for international “crippling sanctions” against Israel. The group’s letter to The Guardian accuses Israel of starving Gaza’s population and considering the forced displacement of millions of Palestinians from the territory. Notable signatories include Academy Award winner Yuval Abraham and former Israeli attorney general Michael Ben-Yair.

In parallel, legal proceedings continue in the UK regarding Palestine Action, an activist group recently proscribed as a terrorist organization. Co-founder Huda Ammori is seeking court permission to challenge the Home Secretary’s decision, which criminalizes membership in the group with penalties of up to 14 years in prison.

The UK government’s stance signals a significant shift in international responses to the Gaza conflict, highlighting mounting pressures on Israel as humanitarian and political tensions intensify.

Al Jazeera