UK will recognize Palestinian state if Israel does not take steps to end Gaza conflict

The United Kingdom is preparing to recognize a sovereign Palestinian state if Israel does not make progress in ending the conflict in Gaza.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the surprise decision on Tuesday in a written handout at a meeting of his Cabinet.

The U.K. will join France in extending recognition at the September meeting of the United Nations General Assembly “unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, reaches a ceasefire, makes clear there will be no annexation in the West Bank, and commits to a long-term peace process that delivers a two-state solution.”