Day 663 - Et tu, Britain? UK on the brink of recognizing Palestine

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Jul 30, 2025

Tal Schneider, a political correspondent, and Nava Freiberg, a diplomatic reporter, dive into the UK’s announcement to recognize a Palestinian state if certain conditions are met. They discuss the implications of this move amid ongoing crises in Gaza and the international community's pressure on Israel. Schneider addresses rumors of Gaza's annexation, while Freiberg highlights Arab nations’ unprecedented condemnation of Hamas. The conversation reveals shifting alliances and the evolving narrative in Israeli politics and international diplomacy.

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INSIGHT

UK's Conditional Recognition Plan

UK plans to recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel meets specific peace and humanitarian conditions.
This approach pressures Israel without outright vetoing recognition, ensuring future decisions remain open.

INSIGHT

Israel Views Recognition as Rewarding Terror

Israel perceives recognition by major countries like UK and France as rewarding terror, viewing it as a 'prize' for Hamas attacks.
Israel's current government strongly rejects any territorial concessions despite international pressure.

INSIGHT

Western Momentum and Israeli Security Concerns

Following France’s lead, multiple Western countries express commitment to recognizing Palestine, signaling a diplomatic shift.
Israel and its leaders view these moves as appeasement that endangers national security.

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Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.

Political reporter Tal Schneider and diplomatic reporter Nava Freiberg join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday that the UK would recognize a Palestinian state in September unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the war and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, and meets several other conditions, including recommitting to a viable peace process. This is happening while, for the past several days, high-level representatives at a UN conference have urged Israel to commit to a Palestinian state. We discuss fallout to Starmer's announcement, the “New York Declaration” and which other states may follow suit in potentially recognizing Palestine this fall.

In his announcement, Starmer said that Israel could forestall the recognition by reaching a ceasefire in Gaza, making clear that it will not annex the West Bank (or Gaza), and committing to a peace process that results in a two-state solution. This comes as there are increased rumors of plans to annex parts of the Gaza Strip. But are these rumors just a negotiation tactic? Schneider weighs in.

At the NY two-state solution conference this week, Arab and Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan and Turkey, signed a declaration condemning for the first time Hamas’s onslaught of October 7, 2023, and calling on the Palestinian terror group to release all the hostages it is holding, disarm and end its rule of Gaza, in a bid to end the devastating war in the Strip. Schneider and Freiberg explain that all may not be as laudable it seems.

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

UK to recognize Palestinian state in Sept. unless Israel ends Gaza war, commits to peace

PM says ‘obstinate’ Hamas blocking hostage deal, as he weighs annexing parts of Gaza

In 1st, entire Arab League condemns Oct. 7, urges Hamas to disarm, at 2-state solution confab

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.

IMAGE: Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a statement inside No. 10 Downing Street after the cabinet was recalled to discuss the situation in Gaza, in London, July 29, 2025. (Toby Melville, Pool Photo via AP)

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