Middle East: Support grows for Palestinian statehood

• UK has defended its new position on Palestinian statehood
• 15 countries signed up to a call for the recognition of a Palestinian state
• Canada, Australia and New Zealand were among them

Here are the latest developments, analysis and backgrounders from the ongoing crisis in Gaza and the wider Middle East:

07/30/2025July 30, 2025

UK defends its position on Palestinian statehood

The United Kingdom will recognize Palestinian statehood in September unless the Israeli government takes significant steps to end the "appalling situation" in Gaza and meets other conditions, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Tuesday.

Israel rejected Starmer's ultimatum, calling it a "reward for Hamas," comments that were repeated by US President Donald Trump.

UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander responded to the Israeli claim, saying: "This is not a reward for Hamas. Hamas is a vile terrorist organisation that has committed appalling atrocities."

"This is about the Palestinian people," she told LBC radio. "It's about those children that we see in Gaza who are starving to death."

"We've got to ratchet up pressure on the Israeli government to lift the restrictions to get aid back into Gaza," she added.

Alexander also spoke on the BBC's Today Program, rejecting accusations that the government had changed its position for political reasons.

She stated that the Labor Party has a "longstanding commitment" to recognizing the State of Palestine as part of achieving a two-state solution, adding that support for Palestinian statehood had been part of the party's 2024 manifesto.

The UK, along with the United States, the EU and others, designates Hamas as a terrorist organization.

07/30/2025July 30, 2025

Countries commit to 2-state solution at UN conference

The foreign ministers of 15 countries issued a joint statement following a UN conference in New York on Tuesday aimed at reviving a two-state solution between Israelis and the Palestinians.

The conference was hosted by France and Saudi Arabia. It had been planned to take place earlier in the year but was postponed following Israel's strikes on Iran.

"In New York, together with 14 other countries, France is issuing a collective appeal: we express our desire to recognize the State of Palestine and invite those who have not yet done so to join us," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot wrote on X.

In the statement, 15 signatories affirmed their "unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-state solution."

Nine of the signatories have not yet recognized Palestinian statehood, including Australia, Canada and New Zealand. They expressed "the willingness or the positive consideration of their countries" to move toward recognition.

The other signing countries were: Andorra, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia and Spain.

President Emmanuel Macron announced plans last week to formally recognize Palestinian statehood in September, sparking strong opposition from Israel and the United States.

07/30/2025July 30, 2025

Welcome to our coverage

This blog will cover the latest developments across the Middle East, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are at risk of death by starvation in Gaza.

The humanitarian crisis has led to several Western countries saying that they will recognize a Palestinian state as a means to put pressure on Israel.

France has said it will officially recognize Palestine in September, ahead of the 80th UN General Assembly.

The UK also announced on Tuesday that it would recognize Palestinian statehood unless Israel commits to a ceasefire and long-term peace process. Israel rejected the British ultimatum.

Follow along with this blog for up-to-date reports, correspondents' analyses, and explainers on the unfolding situation in Gaza.