Former Diplomats Urge UK Prime Minister to Recognize Palestinian State Amid Gaza Crisis
More than 30 former UK ambassadors and 20 former senior diplomats at the UN call for recognition of a Palestinian state as international outrage grows over conditions in Gaza.
LONDON: Over 30 former UK ambassadors and 20 former senior diplomats who have served at the UN have issued a statement urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to recognize a Palestinian state.
This call comes amidst mounting global condemnation of the distressing scenes unfolding in Gaza, where starvation has affected approximately 2 million residents due to Israeli military actions and restrictions on aid access.
The former diplomats, who have represented the UK in various countries including Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, Syria, and Turkey at the UN, emphasize that the current situation in Gaza poses profound implications for regional stability.
They argue that without addressing the question of Palestine through a political settlement, Israel's security concerns will persist unresolved.
The statement from these diplomats urges Starmer to seize the opportunity to recognize Palestinian statehood unconditionally.
It also calls on the UK government to exercise more substantial pressure on Israel beyond partial measures such as suspending arms sales and delaying trade talks.
A rescheduled international conference is set to take place in New York City, sponsored by Saudi Arabia and France, aiming to galvanize support for recognizing Palestinian statehood.
This event, originally planned for June but postponed due to conflict between Iran and Israel, now serves as a platform for diplomatic efforts towards finding a constructive plan that includes statehood for both Palestinians and Israelis.
In addition to the diplomatic pressure, Stephen Cottrell, the de facto leader of the Church of England, has condemned Israel's actions in Gaza as a 'grave sin', calling for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the rebuilding of Palestinian territories.
He emphasizes that the situation constitutes a breach of international humanitarian law.
The calls from former diplomats, Labour Party figures, and religious leaders collectively highlight a growing political and moral pressure on the UK government to take decisive action towards recognizing a Palestinian state and addressing the escalating crisis in Gaza.
This call comes amidst mounting global condemnation of the distressing scenes unfolding in Gaza, where starvation has affected approximately 2 million residents due to Israeli military actions and restrictions on aid access.
The former diplomats, who have represented the UK in various countries including Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, Syria, and Turkey at the UN, emphasize that the current situation in Gaza poses profound implications for regional stability.
They argue that without addressing the question of Palestine through a political settlement, Israel's security concerns will persist unresolved.
The statement from these diplomats urges Starmer to seize the opportunity to recognize Palestinian statehood unconditionally.
It also calls on the UK government to exercise more substantial pressure on Israel beyond partial measures such as suspending arms sales and delaying trade talks.
A rescheduled international conference is set to take place in New York City, sponsored by Saudi Arabia and France, aiming to galvanize support for recognizing Palestinian statehood.
This event, originally planned for June but postponed due to conflict between Iran and Israel, now serves as a platform for diplomatic efforts towards finding a constructive plan that includes statehood for both Palestinians and Israelis.
In addition to the diplomatic pressure, Stephen Cottrell, the de facto leader of the Church of England, has condemned Israel's actions in Gaza as a 'grave sin', calling for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the rebuilding of Palestinian territories.
He emphasizes that the situation constitutes a breach of international humanitarian law.
The calls from former diplomats, Labour Party figures, and religious leaders collectively highlight a growing political and moral pressure on the UK government to take decisive action towards recognizing a Palestinian state and addressing the escalating crisis in Gaza.
