The Story Recognising Palestine - and why it matters
Jul 30, 2025
Chris Smyth, Whitehall Editor for The Times, and Catherine Philp, World Affairs Editor of The Times and former Jerusalem correspondent, dive into the UK’s pending recognition of Palestine. They discuss what statehood could mean amidst the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The conversation tackles whether this acknowledgment is mere political theater or a potential pathway to peace. They also analyze the geopolitical implications and the historical context of this contentious issue, including key sticking points in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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UK's Strategic Shift on Palestine
- The UK plans to recognise Palestine unless Israel meets conditions to improve Gaza's situation.
- This marks a shift from waiting for full peace deals to using statehood recognition as leverage.
Labour's Palestinian Recognition Pressure
- Labour faced strong internal pressure to recognise Palestine amid Gaza crisis.
- Electoral concerns in seats with British-Palestinian voters influenced this stance.
British Mandate's Lingering Impact
- British Mandate of Palestine post-WWI set stage for conflict due to vague promises.
- The Balfour Declaration supported a Jewish homeland but left many unresolved tensions.