LONDON, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Downing Street issued a statement on Tuesday urging the Israeli government to take substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza and commit to a long-term, sustainable peace, or else the British government will recognise the State of Palestine in September, ahead of the United Nations General Assembly, to "protect the viability of the two-state solution."
The statement called on Israel to immediately allow the United Nations to resume the delivery of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza to prevent starvation, agree to a ceasefire, and clearly state that there will be no annexations in the West Bank.
Downing Street also reaffirmed that it considers Hamas a terrorist organisation responsible for the October 7 atrocities, and reiterated its unequivocal condemnation of those attacks, as well as its support for Israel's right to self-defence. The statement further called on Hamas to immediately release all hostages, agree to a ceasefire, accept that it will play no role in the future governance of Gaza, and commit to disarmament.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer elaborated on the conditional nature of recognizing a Palestinian state during a press conference on Tuesday. He said the British government's primary goal is to change the reality on the ground, and that "this is intended to further that cause."
Starmer also explained the timing of the announcement: "I'm particularly concerned that the idea of a two-state solution is receding and feels further away today than it has for many years."
More than 200 Members of parliament from nine political parties signed a letter to the prime minister and Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Saturday, calling on the government to recognize a Palestinian state.
U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged for the first time that there is "real starvation" in the region during his meeting with Starmer on Monday in Scotland, and said he has told Israel to allow "every ounce of food" into Gaza. Enditem
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