MPs across Berkshire and Buckinghamshire have shared opposing views after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK could officially recognise a Palestinian state.
In a speech on Tuesday, July 29, the Labour leader confirmed the UK will recognise the state of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September – unless Israel meets certain conditions.
This includes agreeing to a ceasefire in war-torn Gaza and reviving the prospect of a two-state solution which would see an independent Palestinian state established alongside Israel.
Last month more than 250 MPs signed a letter, organised by Labour backbencher MP Sarah Champion, urging the Government to officially recognise a Palestinian state.
Slough’s Labour MP Tan Dhesi and Liberal Democrat MPs Josh Reynolds and Clive Jones, from Maidenhead and Wokingham, were among those to add their names to the call for action.
Mr Reynolds told the Advertiser: “It’s really important that Palestine is recognised as a state.
“I don't think statehood is dependent on conditions. I think the Government should just go ahead and recognise the state of Palestine. It's what we would call for a long time.
“We need to be in a position where we can turn around and say that we've done the right thing and that is a separate state of Palestine that is not being run by Hamas and that's the important thing to be able to get at.”
The Wokingham and Maidenhead MPs also gave their backing to a letter from Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey which criticised the Government for saying any recognition of statehood could be dependent on Israel failing to meet conditions.
Mr Jones added: “Recognition is one of the most important steps which this country can take, both to revitalise the cause of Palestinian statehood and to show our commitment to Palestinians' right to self-determination.
Slough MP Tan Dhesi said: “I have consistently urged the Government to take immediate action and recognise the State of Palestine.
“In the face of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, we need to take decisive action with our international partners to stop this intolerable bloodshed.
“I welcome the Labour government’s steps to try and achieve lasting peace for both Palestinians and Israelis.”
The announcement has faced opposition from the Conservatives.
Conservative MP for Windsor Jack Rankin and for Beaconsfield Joy Morrissey did not sign the cross-party letter urging the Government to recognise a Palestinian state.
Mr Rankin said: “This is morally and strategically misguided in the context of the October 7th massacre by Hamas - the worst pogrom of Jewish lives since the Holocaust.
“It sends the dangerous message that terrorism pays. Disgracefully granting recognition without any conditions on Hamas is not diplomacy, it's appeasement.”
Mrs Morrissey said: “Everyone agrees that a two-state solution must remain the long-term goal, one that ensures lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.
“Recognising a Palestinian state at this moment risks emboldening Hamas, not bringing peace any closer.
“Instead of playing politics to manage his party, the Prime Minister should be focused on supporting efforts to free the hostages and bring an end to the violence.“
A Government spokesperson said: "We have announced our intention to recognise Palestine in September to protect the viability of the two-state solution.
“The first step in that process must be a ceasefire and there is no question about that.
“Our demands on Hamas have not changed. For there to be any chance of peace, the hostages must be released.
“Hamas must lay down its weapons and commit to having no future role in the governance of Gaza.”
The Government also called for ‘significant progress’ on the supply of humanitarian support in Gaza and for Israel to rule out annexations in the West Bank.
A statement added: “We will make an assessment ahead of UNGA on how far both Israel and Hamas have met the steps we set out.
“No one side will have a veto on recognition through their actions or inactions."
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