(DDM) – A major diplomatic rift has emerged after the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia formally recognised a Palestinian state, drawing swift condemnation from Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who insisted that recognition “will not happen.”
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the UK’s move came under heavy domestic political pressure on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to adopt a stronger stance on the Gaza crisis.
The recognition was announced shortly after Canada became the first G7 country to formally endorse Palestinian statehood.
Australia quickly followed, describing its decision as part of an international effort to revive the two-state solution.
Minutes later, Starmer confirmed Britain’s recognition, saying it was aimed at “reviving the hope of peace” and strengthening prospects for a two-state arrangement.
He stressed that the move was “not a reward for Hamas,” emphasising that the militant group “can have no future” in the region.
Starmer also called for the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
He further demanded that Israel lift border restrictions to allow urgent humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.
The announcement has sparked sharp divisions inside the Labour Party.
Some Labour MPs argued that recognition was overdue, noting that attempts to use the threat of recognition as leverage for a ceasefire had failed.
Dr Simon Opher, a Labour MP barred from entering Israel this week, urged the government to move beyond recognition.
He insisted the UK must “categorically opt out of any arms deals with Israel, stop all cooperation, and consider trade sanctions.”
Opher described these steps as the “next logical stage” following recognition.
However, other Labour MPs warned that the move risks alienating British voters.
One MP said it fed into a perception that the government “cares more about Palestinian flags than Union flags.”
Another argued that the decision gave the impression that ministers cared more about “borders in the Middle East than the borders at Dover.”
The Green Party, which has recently gained voter support from Britons angered by images of Gaza’s devastation, has also called for a halt to arms sales to Israel.
This demand is not limited to Labour’s political opponents.
Some Labour backbenchers outside the party’s left flank have publicly backed the call for ending arms cooperation with Israel.
Meanwhile, Husam Zomlot, Head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK, welcomed the recognition during a BBC interview.
He said it signified that “the wrongs of the past are beginning to be corrected.”
Zomlot explained that the Palestinian Authority is committed to holding elections but current “roadblocks, checkpoints and settler terrorism” in the West Bank make this impossible.
He insisted that recognition was “essential” and accused opponents of “looking backwards, not forwards.”
The developments have heightened international focus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which remains deadlocked despite years of negotiations and repeated global appeals for peace.
The post UK, Canada, Australia recognise Palestine, Netanyahu vows resistance
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first appeared on Diaspora Digital Media DDM.
