The new government of the UK is truly under the effect of the support of Palestine throughout the England territory. The newly elected Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer has implied a notable shift in UK foreign policy on Israel, mirroring increased support for Palestine. Starmer has engaged in conversations with both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, admitting the undeniable rights of Palestinians. His policy changes include lowering arms exports to Israel and highlighting the urgent need for a ceasefire, the return of hostages, and a significant increase in humanitarian aid to civilians.
UK foreign policy on Israel: A call to make peace
In his first telephone conversation with Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on all sides to exercise “caution.” Starmer told his counterpart the “situation on the northern border of Israel was very concerning. all parties needed to act with caution,” a spokesperson for his 10 Downing Street office said.
The prime minister reiterated his condolences for the mass loss of life during the October 7 attacks, the spokesperson said. “He then set out the clear and urgent need for a ceasefire. He also demanded the return of hostages and an immediate increase in the volume of humanitarian aid reaching civilians.”
UK foreign policy on Israel: Israel must recognize Palestinian authority
Starmer told Netanyahu that it was also “important to ensure the long-term conditions for a two-state solution were in place. They must ensure the Palestinian Authority had the financial means to operate effectively.”
Efforts towards a truce are continuing with US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators. They hope to halt the worst-ever Gaza war, which has caused mass civilian casualties and devastated the coastal territory.
Undeniable right of Palestinians: Keir Starmer admitted it
The spokesperson said the prime minister also spoke to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas by phone. Starmer told Abbas that his “longstanding policy on recognition to contribute to a peace process had not changed. He added, “It was the undeniable right of Palestinians.”
The October 7 attack on southern Israel resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies. Israel’s military offensive has killed at least 38,153 people in Gaza, also primarily civilians, according to the Gaza health ministry. The Prime Minister also spoke with PA President Mahmoud Abbas. Meanwhile, he “updated President Abbas on his immediate priorities. They must include securing a ceasefire, return of hostages, an acceleration in humanitarian aid, and financial support for the Palestinian Authority”.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer: Concerns of the threats in the Middle East
The Prime Minister told Netanyahu, “He looked forward to further deepening the close relationship between the two countries”. They discussed the importance of regional security in the Middle East. The Prime Minister said, “he commits to continuing the UK and Israel’s vital cooperation to deter malign threats”. The PM expressed his concern about the situation on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon. He said that “all parties needed to act with caution”.
UK foreign policy on Israel: A Change from Israel support to Palestine support
Last week, Britain said it would restart funding for the leading United Nations agency that aids Palestinians, UNRWA. They concluded that the agency had taken steps to ensure it meets “the highest standards of neutrality.” The Israeli government had accused a dozen of the agency’s employees of playing a role in the Hamas-led October 7 attacks on Israel or their aftermath.
UK Foreign Policy on Israel has been under discussion. These steps, when taken together, show a government that is willing to pile more pressure on Mr. Netanyahu for Israel’s harsh military response in Gaza. It also indicates that Mr. Starmer, a former human rights lawyer, is paying more heed to international legal institutions than the United States.
Starmer’s recognition of Palestine: Israel will get angry
Keir Starmer is planning to use the Labour manifesto. He wants to make his most robust commitment to Palestinian statehood since the war in Gaza started. Sources have told the Guardian he is moving to shore up the party’s core support on the left.
People who know the document say that the Labour leader is expected to include a pledge to recognize Palestine before the end of any peace process. He also should ensure that a neighbouring country does not veto such a move. Labour’s policy is likely to irritate Israel. Benjamin Netanyahu reacted with anger when Ireland, Spain, and Norway all officially recognized Palestine in May. Netanyahu called the move a “reward for terrorism.”
UK foreign policy on Israel: Starmer looking for peace in Palestine
LONDON, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Israel’s President Isaac Herzog there needed to be “immediate steps” towards a ceasefire. Israel’s conflict with Hamas militants in Gaza should come to an end. “The Prime Minister said there must be immediate steps towards a ceasefire so that hostages can be released and more humanitarian aid can reach those in desperate need,” Starmer’s office said in a statement released on Sunday.
Public support of Palestine: Starmer changed his foreign policy on Israel
Starmer had been accused of not calling for a ceasefire, taking the same line as Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. He called for a ceasefire in February after intense public pressure months after opposing a ceasefire resolution in the UK Parliament. Some pro-Palestinian members of the Labour Party, including former party chief Jeremy Corbyn, accused him of denying them tickets.
As voters of Starmer, UK people supporting Palestine have finally made Starmer change his support policy of Israel—a YouGov poll commissioned by Medical Aid for Palestinians and the Council for Arab-British Understanding. The poll has shown that most British people think there should be an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Moreover, they would support the UK ending its arms sales to Israel for the duration of the conflict in Gaza.
