The UK now formally recognises a Palestinian state, PM Keir Starmer says in a video statement on social media
Ahead of the announcement, Canada becomes the first G7 nation to make the same move, followed by Australia.
Starmer says it keeps “alive the possibility of peace” and insists the UK will “keep fighting to bring” home Israeli hostages
But Israel’s foreign ministry says “recognition is nothing but a reward for jihadist Hamas”
Families of those still being held in Gaza express concern – in an open letter to Starmer, they say recognition “complicates efforts to bring home our loved ones”
Earlier, Deputy PM David Lammy defended the UK’s position, telling the BBC “now is the time to stand up for a two-state solution”
BBC
