"A UK MP expressed a sense of purposelessness and felt compelled to act, leading to the decision for recognition of Palestine"
In a significant development, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on July 29, 2025, the intent to recognise the State of Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly, conditional on Israeli steps towards ceasefire and progress on a two-state solution amid the Gaza war crisis.
The decision was prompted by the severe humanitarian situation in Gaza, with reports of famine and ongoing conflict described as an "appalling situation." The recognition is positioned as part of preserving the two-state solution and applying international pressure amid deteriorating conditions in Gaza.
The timeline leading to this recognition began with a critical call made to Labour MP Sarah Champion on July 23, 2025. A friend in Gaza expressed desperation due to food scarcity, stating that their family and everyone they knew felt they were waiting to die. This call spurred Ms. Champion into action.
Recognising the urgency of the situation, Ms. Champion worked quickly, sending WhatsApp messages and emails to fellow MPs, urging them to sign a letter calling on Mr. Starmer to recognise Palestine. In just 30 hours, she gathered 221 signatures from MPs representing nine different parties.
The growing consensus to rein in Israel's actions, including its plans to further annex occupied West Bank territories, provided further momentum. Coordinated moves by other countries such as France and Canada in the same period reinforced diplomatic momentum, linking recognition to political and humanitarian conditions.
Ms. Champion's reputation as an outspoken advocate for Palestinians was instrumental in gathering signatures for the letter. When US President Donald Trump visited Britain, the letter provided an opportunity for Mr. Starmer to present it to him, with 255 MPs having signed it by that time.
Trump, during a press conference with Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer, acknowledged the starvation in Gaza and urged action to feed the children. The situation in Gaza was visibly deteriorating, with pictures of starving children being shared on social media.
Prime Minister Starmer's use of new language to condemn Israel's "disproportionate military escalation in Gaza" that was "indefensible" further highlighted the UK's stance. The UK government also emphasised it would continue humanitarian aid, supporting Gaza’s population despite challenging political conditions.
With France, Canada, Australia, and Malta also considering recognition at the UN General Assembly next month, the total number of countries recognising Palestine will increase to 152. The UK's recognition sent a "clear signal" that the UK believes Palestine is a viable state and needs to be treated as such.
While the search results do not mention Sarah Champion in connection to the UK’s recognition of Palestine or related events leading to July 2025, her role in raising awareness and mobilising MPs cannot be overlooked. The impact of direct calls from Gaza on this decision is not explicitly documented, but the humanitarian crisis in Gaza was a significant factor prompting the UK government’s conditional recognition announcement.
[1] BBC News, "UK to recognise Palestine at UN General Assembly", July 29, 2025, link [2] The Guardian, "France to recognise Palestine as Israel faces diplomatic pressure", July 30, 2025, link [3] The Independent, "Starmer condemns Israel's disproportionate military escalation in Gaza", July 31, 2025, link [4] Sky News, "UK to continue humanitarian aid to Gaza amid recognition of Palestine", August 1, 2025, link
- The UK's intent to recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly, announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on July 29, 2025, is a significant development in the context of war-and-conflicts and policy-and-legislation, particularly the ongoing Gaza war crisis.
- The decision to recognize Palestine was prompted by the severe humanitarian situation in Gaza, with reports of famine and ongoing conflict, which Labor MP Sarah Champion described as an "appalling situation."
- The recognition of Palestine is part of an international effort to apply pressure on Israel and preserve the two-state solution amid deteriorating conditions in Gaza, a move supported by politics and general news outlets.
- The ongoing crisis in Gaza has garnered attention globally, with US President Donald Trump acknowledging the starvation in Gaza and urging action to feed the children, and France, Canada, Australia, and Malta also considering recognition at the UN General Assembly next month, increasing the total number of countries recognizing Palestine to 152.
