First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney has welcomed the announcement that the UK will recognise the State of Palestine. However, Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer said his support for recognition would be part of a negotiations deal with Israel.

Ireland, Norway and Spain have already recognised the State of Palestine. France will do so in September.

Sir Keir Starmer said on 29 July:

“Our goal remains a safe and secure Israel, alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.

“As part of this process towards peace I can confirm the UK will recognise the state of Palestine by the United Nations General Assembly in September unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire and commit to a long-term, sustainable peace, reviving the prospect of a Two State Solution. “

Support for recognising the State of Palestine comes as famine and disease stalks the starving people of Gaza with the United Nations stating that ‘there is mounting evidence that “widespread starvation, malnutrition and disease” are driving a rise in hunger-related deaths, which is the third famine indicator.’

In an update from northern Gaza, Olga Cherevko from the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, said that hours-long delays to humanitarian missions have continued while waiting for Israeli permission to proceed.

Commenting on Sir Keir Starmer’s statement on recognising the State of Palestine, FM John Swinney said:

“Having called on the UK Government to recognise the State of Palestine, I welcome the intent behind this announcement. However, recognition of a Palestinian state should be irreversible. Recognition must not be conditional and must be backed by sanctions against Israel if the violence continues.

“Israel must today agree to a ceasefire and allow humanitarian aid to flow in much more volume to address the starvation being faced in Gaza.

“A two-state solution is the only way that the Palestinian and Israeli peoples can have a future, living side-by-side in peace and security. The Palestinian people deserve no less.

“This announcement comes on the day that the number of deaths reported passed 60,000, a truly horrific milestone that shames us all. The Israeli government must commit to end the killing and comply with its international obligations on the investigation of genocide and war crimes. We must see the unconditional release of all hostages.”

Fiona Grahame