Recognition of a Palestinian State 2025-09-02

2025-09-02

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Chris Law SNP
Dundee Central
Context
The UK Government has placed conditions on the recognition of Palestine, which Chris Law argues are not in line with international law. He references Israel's failure to comply with these conditions.
The United Kingdom Government should never have placed conditions on the recognition of the state of Palestine—there is no place for it in international law. However, given that it is clear that Israel has failed to comply with these conditions, can the Secretary of State confirm that the UK will unconditionally and immediately recognise the state of Palestine at the UN General Assembly next week?
High-level week is not actually next week; it is in three weeks’ time. May I say to the hon. Gentleman that it is most bizarre to say to a responsible Government that they should not attempt to change the situation on the ground to encourage Israel to commit to a ceasefire and to a process? Of course we should use all diplomatic efforts to do that, notwithstanding what we said about the assessment we will make on recognition at the appropriate time.
Assessment & feedback
The specific commitment to unconditionally recognize Palestine was avoided in favour of discussing diplomatic efforts and the timeline for high-level week.
Response accuracy
Q2 Direct Answer
Luke Myer Lab
Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
Context
The UK Government has placed conditions on the recognition of Palestine, including demanding that Hamas release hostages. Luke Myer asks for assurances regarding Hamas's role in governance.
We all want to see an end to the suffering and progress towards a two-state solution, but what assurance can the Foreign Secretary provide that in the recognition of Palestine there can be no role for Hamas in the governance of a Palestinian state?
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising this issue. Let me be crystal clear. Hamas must never be rewarded, and we will not reward it by the UK’s recognition of Palestine if we reach that point. Our demands of Hamas are absolute and unchanged: it must immediately release all the hostages who were cruelly taken on 7 October 2023 and held in the most atrocious conditions, which we have already discussed in the Chamber this morning.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy