Nearly 60 Labour MPs Urge UK to Immediately Recognise Palestinian State

Nearly 60 Labour MPs Urge UK to Immediately Recognise Palestinian State
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Nearly 60 Labour MPs have called on the UK government to immediately recognise Palestine as a state, following Israel’s defence minister’s announcement to forcibly transfer all Gaza residents to a camp in Rafah, The Guardian reported. In a letter to Foreign Secretary David Lammy, the MPs warned that Gaza is facing ethnic cleansing, citing Israeli human rights lawyer Michael Sfard’s description of the plan as “crimes against humanity.”

The MPs urge urgent action to prevent the transfer and to recognise Palestinian statehood, arguing that failure to do so undermines the two-state solution and enables the annexation of Palestinian territory. The letter was sent shortly after French President Emmanuel Macron called for a ceasefire and recognition of Palestine during his UK visit.

The signatories include centrist and leftwing Labour MPs such as Diane Abbott, Stella Creasy, Clive Lewis, and Liam Byrne. They also propose measures like imposing a trade blockade on Israeli settlements.

The UK government says it remains committed to recognising Palestine “when it will have most impact” to support peace efforts. Meanwhile, several European countries have already recognised Palestine, and France is pressuring allies to follow suit.