LONDON, Sept 18 — The United Kingdom will formally recognise Palestine’s statehood this weekend, after United States President Donald Trump, who opposes the decision, leaves the country at the end of his state visit, The Times reported.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned in July that the country would take the action unless Israel relieves suffering in Gaza and reaches a ceasefire in its nearly two-year genocide in Palestine.
Israel said recognising a Palestinian state, which France, Canada, and Australia have also said they will do this month, would reward Hamas.
The Times, without citing its sources, said the UK would make an announcement once Trump completes his trip today. The UK foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In July, Trump, who is enjoying an unprecedented second state visit to the UK, said he does not mind if Britain made such a move, but since then the US has made clear its opposition to any such action by its European allies.
Starmer, who is under pressure from some in his Labour Party to take a harder line against Israel, had said the UK would recognise Palestine’s statehood at the United Nations General Assembly next week unless Israel takes substantive steps to alleviate the situation in Gaza.
The UK has long supported a “two-state solution” to end conflict in the region, but previously said this could only come when the time is right.
