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UK’s ultimatum on Palestine statehood draws global criticism

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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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The UK recently issued an ultimatum to recognise Palestine as a state unless Israel agrees to certain conditions. This has drawn widespread criticism due to the Western nation’s framing of the conflict.

Gaza continues to be tested with no end to the brutality. The region is seeing the deaths of over 60,000 people and rising. Additionally, an increasing number of children are facing the threat of malnutrition.

Since the beginning of the war, aid entering Gaza has been controlled by Israel. The latter, with the backing of the US, has been ‘delivering’ aid via trucks and airdrops. However, on numerous occasions those within proximity of aid drops have found themselves in the crosshairs of Israeli forces.

The current crisis in Gaza has served as an international wake-up call, with many nations now coming forward to recognise Palestine as a state. As of March 2025, 147, that is 75% of the United Nations, have undertaken such efforts. The overall basis for this decision is the increasing global dissatisfaction with the severity of humanitarian violations and the lack of progress in peace negotiations.

The most recent nations to follow suit are France, the UK, and Canada, and in doing so have highlighted some conditions in exchange for the recognition. Yet, the loudest conditions, which felt more like an ultimatum, came from the UK.

The nation announced it would recognise Palestine as a state, unless Israel takes ‘significant actions’ by next month. This includes a ceasefire, removing restrictions on humanitarian aid, refraining from any annexation efforts, and making credible initiatives towards a two-state solution. Some might immediately think of this as a win-win situation; however, in reality, it isn’t quite that.

The UK’s commitment towards the recognition is hinged on Israel’s efforts, and does not include Palestinian negotiations. As such, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reframed a possible Palestinian state into a tool to get Israel to end its tyranny.

Now, any efforts on the UK’s end towards recognition have turned into a transaction rather than a standalone endorsement of Palestinian self-determination.

The nation’s legal experts have also argued that Starmer’s stance violates international law by going against the Montevideo Convention, the criteria for statehood. Based on this Convention, the recognition of Palestine as a state should be guided by the listed criteria for statehood, rather than the actions of another country, Israel.

France and Canada’s approach, on the other hand, has different motives. President Emmanuel Macron stated that he would recognise the state at the United Nations General Assembly in September. The French government’s statements highlight a motive that emphasises the necessity to support Palestinian livelihoods and to create authoritative alternatives to Hamas.

Additionally, Canada’s stance, while conditional, also focuses on internal Palestinian reform. It’s Prime Minister Mark Carney underscored the need for democratic reforms, Hamas-free general elections next year, and a demilitarised state.

Recognising Palestine as a state is indeed a step towards achieving the two-state solution, as such efforts reinforce it as a distinct sovereign identity. Not only would it end territorial disputes, but Israel would be forced to end its occupation across Palestinian borders.

However, reaching this milestone should not be a political bargaining chip, as framed by Starmer. Where state recognition needs to be a principled policy decision, the UK’s stance has effectively undermined the process’s legitimacy, setting a problematic precedent internationally.

Nonetheless, with the deadline to meet the conditions looming, one can only watch as the future of Palestine’s borders is used in a political tug of war.

Remote Writer Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Hey, I’m Anyaa, a Behavioral Economist in the making who is currently doing a degree in Psychology. By nature, I’m a journalist who hopes to instigate conversations by sharing the stories and truths that make the world more comprehensible.

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