Overview

• Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced recognition to keep a two-state pathway alive, aligning the UK with recent moves by France, Canada, Australia and Portugal during UN week.
• US Senator Marco Rubio argued countries acted under migration-fueled domestic pressure, while President Donald Trump said he disagreed with the decision and later called it a reward for Hamas.
• Israel condemned the move, with a spokesman for Benjamin Netanyahu’s office calling it a betrayal, and UK ministers countered claims that recognition rewards Hamas after the group hailed it as a victory.
• Campaign Against Arms Trade urged an immediate two-way arms embargo on Israel and a cutoff of F-35 components, citing an estimated £572 million in UK exports tied to the fighter program.
• Labour MPs, including representatives from Bolton, welcomed recognition as a step toward a two-state solution and pledged to push for further action as public protests continue over UK arms sales.