Articles in this Cluster
31-07-2025
The UK will recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel takes "substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza", Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said. Israel must agree to a ceasefire, commit to a long-term sustainable peace that delivers a two-state solution, and allow the UN to restart aid supplies. The move is under pressure from Starmer's own MPs and follows France's announcement to recognize a Palestinian state in September. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticized the plan, saying it "rewards Hamas's monstrous terrorism". The UK's decision is seen as a step towards a two-state solution, with 139 countries already recognizing a Palestinian state.
31-07-2025
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada plans to recognize a Palestinian state in September, contingent on democratic reforms by the Palestinian Authority, including elections next year without Hamas. This move follows similar announcements by France and the UK, with Carney citing the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank as reasons. The announcement was met with criticism from Israel's foreign ministry and Canada's Conservative opposition, while nearly 200 former Canadian ambassadors and diplomats had called for recognition of a Palestinian state.
31-07-2025
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, not Mark Carney, announced that Canada will recognize Palestine as a state in September at the United Nations General Assembly, joining the United Kingdom and France. The decision comes as pressure mounts on Israel to allow more aid into Gaza, with Canada stating its recognition is contingent on the Palestinian Authority's commitment to reforms, including holding general elections and demilitarizing the Palestinian state. Hamas must also release hostages taken in the October 7, 2023, terror attacks on Israel and disarm. Israel's Foreign Ministry denounced Canada's decision, calling it "a reward for Hamas." Over 140 countries already recognize a Palestinian state, but the United States is not among them.
31-07-2025
The UK will recognize Palestine as a state in September unless Israel takes "substantive steps" to end the conflict in Gaza, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. The steps include establishing a ceasefire in Gaza, halting the annexation of territory in the West Bank, and working toward a peace process involving a two-state solution. Starmer's announcement comes after French President Emmanuel Macron said France would recognize Palestine as a state. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the UK's decision, calling it a "reward for Hamas" and saying it will "harm efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza." The UK's decision is seen as part of growing international pressure on Israel to allow more aid into Gaza, where at least 60,000 Palestinians have been killed since the Israel-Hamas conflict began.
31-07-2025
Britain and France's recent moves to recognize a Palestinian state are unlikely to advance peace and may even hinder it, despite their aim to highlight Palestinian suffering and support a two-state solution, as the terms of recognition may be counterproductive.
31-07-2025
European leaders are divided on recognizing a Palestinian state, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron planning to recognize it in September, while Germany's Friedrich Merz stated that Germany won't "currently" recognize it, highlighting differences in their stance on a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.
31-07-2025
Several Arab nations, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, along with the Arab League, European Union, and 17 other countries, have backed a declaration calling for Hamas to disarm and relinquish control of Gaza. The "New York Declaration" also demands a two-state solution, with a sovereign Palestinian state having East Jerusalem as its capital. The declaration condemns both the October 7 Hamas massacre and Israel's conduct during the war, calling for an end to the conflict and the release of hostages. Israel has rejected the declaration, stating it will continue to fight Hamas, while the US has also criticized the conference, labeling it a "publicity stunt."
31-07-2025
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, not Mark Carney, announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations, contingent on the Palestinian Authority's commitment to reforms. Israel criticized the move, calling it a "reward for Hamas." The announcement follows similar statements from France and the UK, reflecting growing international outrage over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The White House opposed the decision, with President Donald Trump stating it would be "rewarding Hamas."
31-07-2025
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that the country will recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September 2025, making it the third G7 nation to do so after France and the UK. Carney stated that this move is necessary to preserve hopes of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which is being eroded due to factors such as Hamas terrorism and Israeli settlement expansion. The decision was condemned by Israel and US President Donald Trump, who said it would make a US-Canada trade deal difficult. The Palestinian Authority's President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the decision as "historic".
31-07-2025
Canada's Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced that the country will recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations in September, provided certain conditions are met, including the Palestinian Authority's commitment to reforming its governance and holding general elections in 2026 without Hamas' participation. This move follows a similar announcement by the UK, which stated it will recognize Palestine as a state unless Israel takes substantive steps to end the crisis in Gaza and agrees to a ceasefire. The Canadian prime minister cited the worsening situation on the ground, including the starvation of citizens in Gaza, as a reason for the decision, a departure from Canada's previous stance of only recognizing a Palestinian state after peace talks with Israel. Israel's foreign ministry criticized the move, stating it would reward Hamas and harm efforts to achieve a ceasefire and release hostages.
31-07-2025
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's plan to recognise Palestine as a state by September unless Israel takes "substantive steps" to end the Gaza situation has been criticised by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "appeasement towards jihadist terrorists". Netanyahu said the move "rewards Hamas's monstrous terrorism and punishes its victims". Starmer's plan was welcomed by some MPs, including Labour MP Sarah Champion, but others, such as the Lib Dems and Greens, accused him of using state recognition as a "bargaining chip". The Conservatives also criticised the plan, with leader Kemi Badenoch saying it was "political posturing at its very worst" and shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel accusing Starmer of appeasing his backbenchers.
31-07-2025
The UK's potential recognition of Palestine as a state is unlikely to address the issue of starvation in Gaza, with experts suggesting alternative methods to pressure Israel into allowing more aid into the region.
31-07-2025
Canada and Malta announced they will recognize the state of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September, joining France and potentially the United Kingdom. The move is part of a growing international push for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Malta's government cited the need for a lasting peace in the Middle East as the reason for their decision. The announcement comes as the UN holds a conference on a two-state solution, which Israel and the US are boycotting. Over 145 countries already recognize Palestine as a state, and the new recognitions bring the total number of European countries doing so to over a dozen.
31-07-2025
Most countries in the UN, 147 out of 193, recognize a Palestinian state. Recently, France, Britain, and Canada announced they would join, bringing the total among G20 nations to 13. The US is now the only permanent UN Security Council member that doesn't recognize a Palestinian state. The announcements come amid frustration with Israel's conduct in the Gaza war.
31-07-2025
Canada has become the third major US ally to announce its willingness to recognize a Palestinian state, following France and Britain, amid growing concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that Canada will proceed with recognition at the UN General Assembly in September if the Palestinian Authority agrees to democratic reforms, including elections in 2026, which Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has committed to.
31-07-2025
The war in Gaza has become endless, indiscriminate, and militarily pointless, turning Israel into a pariah. The Economist has called for a ceasefire since 2024 and now urges America to use its power to negotiate an end to the fighting to avoid mass starvation and allow for a new government in Gaza that excludes Hamas.
31-07-2025
Israel's top generals, led by Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir, believe the ongoing war in Gaza against Hamas has become pointless, but a ceasefire remains elusive as the government and public continue to support the conflict, with the IDF instead preparing for a potential future war with Iran amidst a deepening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza where people are starving.
31-07-2025
Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed by Israeli gunfire and in crushes while trying to collect food aid in Gaza. In June alone, 800 Gazans were reportedly killed, amid a deepening humanitarian crisis with every resident facing food insecurity. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an American-backed group, began distributing aid in late May, and deaths linked to aid distribution soared eight-fold between May and June. Satellite images show crowds forming at checkpoints and aid distribution sites, where order often breaks down, resulting in gunfire and stampedes. The GHF has handed out over 91m meals since May, but the crisis continues, prompting criticism from charities and governments, with many calling for changes to the aid distribution system.
31-07-2025
At least 30 Palestinians were killed and around 300 wounded by Israeli fire while waiting for humanitarian aid in northern Gaza. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed they fired "warning shots" after Gazans gathered around aid trucks, but said they were "not aware of any casualties" from their gunfire. The incident is the latest in a series of deadly clashes, with the UN reporting over 1,000 Palestinians killed while seeking aid since late May. The UN has warned that a "worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out" in Gaza, where over 60,000 people have been killed since Israel launched its military campaign in October 2023.
31-07-2025
Hundreds of people protested in Israel against the country's war in Gaza as a starvation crisis worsened in the strip. The protests came as reports emerged of widespread hunger and malnutrition in Gaza, with the Gaza health ministry stating that 900,000 children were going hungry and 70,000 showing signs of malnutrition. Israel has denied responsibility for the food shortages, accusing Hamas of "engineering" them. Meanwhile, aid agencies have called for increased relief efforts, including the opening of aid corridors to allow trucks to enter Gaza. The situation has been further complicated by comments from former US President Trump, who urged Israel to "finish the job" against Hamas.
31-07-2025
US President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu clashed over claims of starvation in Gaza, with Trump saying the imagery was "real starvation" and Netanyahu denying it. A UN-backed agency warned that Gaza is facing a "worst-case scenario of famine." Reports from Gaza described dire conditions, with mothers and children fighting for food and many showing signs of malnutrition. Israel denies responsibility for the food shortages, blaming Hamas.
31-07-2025
Desperate fishermen in Gaza risk their lives to catch food despite Israel's warning prohibiting entry into Gaza's sea, driven by hunger and the need for sustenance. The situation highlights the dire food conditions in Gaza, where mothers and children face starvation, and aid agencies warn of rampant hunger due to Israel's blockade.
31-07-2025
Families of hostages held in Gaza are opposing plans by the UK, France, and other nations to recognize a Palestinian state, warning that it rewards Hamas terrorists while dozens of hostages remain trapped. Emily Damari, a dual British-Israeli citizen who survived Hamas captivity, expressed her disappointment with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's decision, stating it "risks rewarding terror" and "emboldens extremists." The Hostages and Missing Families Forum also slammed the announcements, saying recognition under these conditions is a "dangerous moral and political failure that legitimizes horrific war crimes." The UK and France announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire and a two-state solution, with several other countries following suit. Veteran US diplomat Dennis Ross warned that recognition without clear benchmarks could perpetuate the conflict.
