The UK is expected to recognise a Palestinian state later on Sunday despite opposition from the US, after judging that Israel has not met conditions it set over the war in Gaza.
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Though the anticipated move is largely symbolic, the UK hopes that it could increase diplomatic pressure for an end to the conflict in Gaza as well as help pave the way for a long-lasting peace.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, who was foreign secretary until earlier this month, said an announcement on the recognition of a Palestinian state will come later on Sunday from Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“Any decision to recognise a Palestinian state, if that were to take place later on today, does not make a Palestinian state happen overnight,” he said.
He suggested that recognition would help keep the prospect of a two-state solution alive, and stressed that identifying the Palestinian people with Hamas was mistaken.
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In July, in the wake of intense pressure within his governing Labour Party, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK would recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza, allowed the UN to bring in aid and took other steps towards long-term peace.