Don't recognise Palestinian state, US tells Starmer as Kemi Badenoch says move would give Hamas 'a reward for terrorism'
US leaders have urged Keir Starmer not to recognise a Palestinian state over fears the 'deeply troubling' move could reward Hamas.
The prime minister announced plans to legitimise a state in July, saying he would do so during the UN General Assembly meeting in September if Israel did not take 'substantive steps' towards peace in Gaza.
Congressional Republican officials have sent a letter to the UK, France, Canada, Australia and other key allies, calling on them to oppose Starmer's efforts, as he is expected to announce the UK's formal recognition as early as Sunday.
'This is a reckless policy that undermines prospects for peace,' wrote chairwoman Elise Stefanik and Senator Rick Scott.
'It sets the dangerous precedent that violence, not diplomacy, is the most expedient means for terrorist groups like Hamas to achieve their political aims.'
The letter was backed by US House of Representatives speaker Mike Johnson, who said: 'It is baffling and deeply troubling to reward Hamas with statehood before they have returned every hostage.'
The US's stance is echoed by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who accused the Prime Minister of giving Hamas a 'reward for terrorism', writing in The Daily Telegraph she would 'never apologise for standing by Israel when it strikes back against terrorism'.
She added Labour's foreign policy was to 'condemn our allies, indulge our adversaries and hand away our sovereignty'.
US leaders have urged Keir Starmer not to recognise a Palestinian state over fears the 'deeply troubling' move could reward Hamas
There has been no ceasefire and the situation in Gaza has deteriorated, with a declaration of a famine in Gaza City and the expansion of Israeli military operations
Sir Keir intends to recognise a Palestinian state on Sunday, the day before the UN General Assembly's general debate begins in New York, according to the Times.
There has been no ceasefire and the situation in Gaza has deteriorated, with a declaration of a famine in Gaza City and the expansion of Israeli military operations.
During a visit to London last week, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said recognising Palestine 'won't help one Palestinian, one hostage' and could be 'adversely interpreted by Hamas'.
Australia, France and Canada have all committed to recognising a Palestinian state at the UN.
During a joint press conference with the Prime Minister at Chequers on Thursday, Donald Trump said he disagreed with recognition.
Starmer denied that he was waiting for the US president to leave the UK before announcing recognition, saying he had 'made my position clear at the end of July, so the timing, it's got nothing to do with this state visit'.
But he said Hamas could have 'no part in any future governance in Palestine', adding the group 'don't want a two-state solution. They don't want peace, they don't want a ceasefire'.
