Keir Starmer has come under heavy fire following his announcement on Monday that the UK government would formally recognize a Palestinian state if Israel does not first consent to a ceasefire in Gaza and endorse a two-state solution—an outcome opposed by Benjamin Netanyahu’s current administration.
Two principal lines of criticism have emerged. On one side, Conservatives and other detractors dismiss Starmer’s pledge as purely symbolic—a concession designed to placate Labour backbenchers that, in their view, will fail to deliver any tangible improvements for Palestinians on the ground. Conversely, opponents including the Israeli government warn that instantly recognizing statehood would effectively reward Hamas for its October assault on Israel, emboldening the group to hold onto its remaining hostages rather than seek diplomatic resolution. That position was underscored most emphatically by Emily Damari, a British-Israeli who endured over a year in Hamas captivity; her remarks to the Daily Mail brought the argument to widespread attention.
A third dimension of objection surfaced today on the front page of The Times. Journalists Matt Dathan, Ali Mitib, and Geraldine Scott report that 40 peers in the House of Lords have written to Attorney General Lord Hermer, arguing Starmer’s proposal could breach international law. “Some of Britain’s most eminent legal minds have warned Sir Keir Starmer that his government’s promise to recognise a Palestinian state risks violating international legal obligations,” the article quotes.
In their joint letter, the group of 40 peers contends that a Palestinian entity fails to satisfy the four criteria for statehood set out in the 1933 Montevideo Convention: a permanent population, a clearly defined territory, an effective government, and the capacity to engage in relations with other states. They caution that prematurely granting recognition would undermine the UK’s long-standing commitment to basing its foreign policy firmly on international legal principles.
According to The Times, signatories include seven Lords who have served as Cabinet Counsellors of State—among them Lord Pannick and Lord Collins of Mapesbury, a former Supreme Court jurist—as well as former Conservative ministers Eric Pickles and Andrew Lansley, and ex-DUP leader Arlene Foster. While Starmer is due to address the press today, Trade Minister Gareth Thomas told Times Radio this morning that the government remains confident its recognition plan aligns with international law. “We haven’t ratified the Montevideo Convention, but there is an identifiable population in Gaza and the West Bank,” he argued.
Thomas reiterated that a future Palestinian state would be established along the 1967 borders—with mutually agreed land swaps and shared arrangements for Jerusalem as its capital—echoing positions held by many in the international community. “One hundred and forty countries have already extended recognition to Palestine,” he noted, adding that the Prime Minister discussed the matter this week with several nations, including Canada, which formalized recognition last September.
Today’s schedule
9:30 a.m.: The Ministry of Justice publishes the latest prison data, covering inmate numbers, assaults, deaths, and self-harm incidents.
11:00 a.m.: Service of remembrance for Lord Norman Tebbit at St. Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St. Edmunds.
Looking ahead to tomorrow, Keir Starmer and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will tour southwest England to advocate for new legislation penalising firms that delay payments to their suppliers, accompanied by media engagements. Additionally, Heathrow Airport is set to present its third-runway proposal to ministers
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