LONDON — July 12, 2025
Dozens of Labour MPs in the United Kingdom have called on Foreign Secretary David Lammy to officially recognise Palestine as an independent state, citing grave concerns over what they describe as Israel’s expanding efforts to displace Palestinians from Gaza.
A total of 59 members of Parliament signed a letter sent to Lammy earlier this week, warning that Israel’s latest moves in the besieged enclave amount to ethnic cleansing and violate international norms. The correspondence became public on Saturday and highlights growing frustration within the UK’s ruling party over the government’s handling of the ongoing Gaza crisis.
The lawmakers specifically criticised Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz’s strategy to relocate more than two million Palestinians into a heavily restricted area in southern Gaza, referred to as a “humanitarian city” constructed over the remains of Rafah. Critics, including prominent Israeli legal expert Michael Sfard, believe the move is part of a broader scheme to eventually expel Palestinians from Gaza altogether.
The MPs accused the Israeli government of preparing the groundwork for mass deportation and urged Lammy to oppose what they labelled as “crimes against humanity.” They argued that immediate recognition of Palestine could serve as a strong diplomatic countermeasure and demonstrate the UK’s commitment to peace and justice in the region.
The letter also encouraged the UK to emulate France, where President Emmanuel Macron has recently indicated that his government is prepared to formally recognise a Palestinian state. “Failing to act now would make us complicit in undermining the very solution we claim to support,” the MPs warned.
Despite the UK’s stated backing of a two-state solution, successive British governments have stopped short of officially recognising Palestine. The signatories say this hesitation has emboldened policies that threaten to permanently erase Palestinian territorial claims.
There has been no immediate response from Lammy’s office. However, political analysts say the issue may intensify internal party debates and increase public pressure on the government. Recent surveys suggest a shift in British public opinion, with many now favouring stronger support for Palestinian rights.
In their closing remarks, the MPs stressed the urgency of the moment: “Diplomatic recognition of Palestine is not just symbolic—it is a necessary step to halt a humanitarian and legal crisis from spiraling beyond repair.”
