LONDON: The UK’s opposition Labour Party is reportedly set to pause a decision on recognition of Palestinian statehood over fears that doing so could harm relations with the US.
Party leader Keir Starmer had included a pledge on statehood in Labour’s manifesto ahead of the UK’s general election on July 4, saying it is “very important we have a viable Palestinian state alongside a safe and secure Israel.”
However, The Times reported that members of his senior team have concerns over what such a move could do to his standing in Washington if brought in too soon after the election next week, which Labour is expected to win.
There is intense pressure from the left of the party to stick to the pledge, but a source close to Starmer told The Times that Palestinian statehood would be a “process” and best done in “coordination with allies.”
Starmer has come under pressure on the issue in the past, having been criticized from within his own party for being slow to call for a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which has so far claimed the lives of more than 37,000 Palestinians.
In November, 56 Labour MPs, including 10 shadow Cabinet ministers, defied him to call for a ceasefire in Parliament.
In May’s local elections, Labour performed worse than expected in several areas across the country, with many voters citing Starmer’s stance on Gaza as a key reason.
Despite this and the manifesto pledge, he appeared to pour cold water on suggestions that recognition of Palestinian statehood could be imminent last month.
“It has got to be at the right time in the process because we need a viable Palestinian state alongside a safe and secure Israel,” he said.
“We don’t have either of those at the moment, and therefore it has got to be at the point of the process where we could see both of those outcomes.”
Israel’s war in Gaza has refocused minds worldwide about the issue of Palestinian statehood. Ireland, Spain and Norway recently recognized Palestine as a state.
