Wia dis foto come from, Alberto Pezzali – WPA Pool/Getty Images
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer dey expected to announce im kontri recognition of Palestinian state for one statement on Sunday afternoon.
Di prime minister tok for July say di UK go shift im position unless Israel meet several conditions, including agreeing to ceasefire for di Gaza Strip and commit to long-term peace process wey go lead to Palestinian state co-existing alongside Israel.
Di Israel leadership don rule dis out since di war afta Hamas attack for di southern Israel on 7 October 2023, wia dem kill 1,200 pipo die and take 251 pipo as hostages.
Di PM move don draw fierce criticism from di Israeli govment, families of hostages wey dem hold for Gaza and some Conservatives.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously say recognition of Palestinian state “dey reward terror”.
Di decision to recognise Palestinian state represent major change for UK foreign policy, afta successive govments say make recognition come as part of peace process and at a time of maximum impact.
However, ministers argue say moral responsibility dey to act to keep hopes of a long-term peace alive.
Efforts to secure ceasefire for Gaza or long-term solution to di Israel-Palestine conflict don fail. Israel spark international outrage wen dem carry out air strike on one Hamas negotiating team for Qatar.
Govment sources say di situation for ground don also worse well well for di last few weeks. Dem cite images wey show starvation and violence for Gaza, wey Sir Keir previously describe as “intolerable”.
Israel latest ground operation for Gaza City, wey one UN official describe as “cataclysmic”, do force hundreds of thousands of pipo to japa.
Na di latest Israeli offensive for di nearly two-year war wey don displace much of Palestinian pipo, destroy dia infrastructure – and at least 65,208 pipo don die, according to Hamas-run health ministry figures.
Earlier dis week, one United Nations commission of inquiry bin conclude say Israel commit genocide against Palestinians for Gaza, wey Israel denounce as “distorted and false”.
Ministers don also highlight di continued expansion of Israeli settlements for di occupied West Bank, wey dey illegal under international law, as a key factor for di decision to recognise Palestinian statehood.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy say “now na di time to stand up for” two-state solution.
