Sir Keir Starmer must rescind recognition of a Palestinian state

Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Image of Sir Keir Starmer with the text: Reverse course now

The Prime Minister and His Majesty’s Government must rescind the decision to recognise a Palestinian state


Almost 90% of the British public do not back Sir Keir Starmer's recognition of a ‘Palestinian state’, according to a new poll by JL Partners.

This recognition was made worse by the failure to demand anything from the putative leadership of this state. There was no demand of Hamas to release the remaining hostage or disarm, nor of the Palestinian Authority to end its ‘pay-for-slay’ system of incentivising terrorists to murder Jews, nor to remove the Palestinian Authority’s textbooks that teach children to hate Jews from an early age, nor indeed to end Hamas’ brutality towards Palestinians who speak out against its rule.

The decision will do nothing to further peace; to the contrary, it has emboldened the worst actors in the region and persuaded them, with good reason, that violence yields results.

It represents a staggering betrayal of British Jews, who are already suffering the worst levels of antisemitism in living memory. This began under the previous Government and continues unabated under Sir Keir’s watch. When he succeeded Jeremy Corbyn, he promised to “tear out antisemitism by the roots”, but other than platitudes about deploring antisemitism, Sir Keir’s Government has taken barely a single notable action to combat it and punish the perpetrators. Instead, it has poured fuel on the fire, including with this latest decision, which so plainly rewards terrorism that Hamas have justifiably declared it a victory for their cause. It is not just them who can celebrate this policy, but the marchers on our streets who have tormented the Jewish community and so many decent Britons for two years now. The appalling message of this decision is that their way – intimidation, confrontation with police, threat and even violence – is the right one.

While Jews remain in barbaric captivity, starved and forced to dig their own graves, our Government has rewarded their captors. As Jews in Britain question their place in this country, our Government has sided with those who look to extinguish their future here – and in Israel. Sir Keir has utterly failed to grasp the lessons of history, and have chosen appeasement over principle and political exigency over moral courage.

This recognition came the day before the Jewish New Year, capping a second year of trauma for Jewish people worldwide. But it is not too late to change course. In Jewish tradition, the days following Rosh Hashanah are days of repentance, culminating in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

There is time to atone for this morally reprehensible decision and change course. Recognition can yet be rescinded, or, at a minimum, conditioned on the most basic humanitarian steps on the part of Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.

There is also a Jewish tradition that on Yom Kippur, our deeds are sealed. If Sir Keir fails to right this wrong, he will forever be the Prime Minister who betrayed the Jewish community in our hour of need, and that unforgivable treachery will be his lasting legacy.

To: Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
From: [Your Name]

We write in utter dismay at the Government’s decision to recognise a ‘Palestinian state’, made worse by the failure to demand anything from the putative leadership of this state. There was no demand of Hamas to release the remaining hostage or disarm, nor of the Palestinian Authority to end its ‘pay-for-slay’ system of incentivising terrorists to murder Jews, nor to remove the Palestinian Authority’s textbooks that teach children to hate Jews from an early age, nor indeed to end Hamas’ brutality towards Palestinians who speak out against its rule.

Your decision will do nothing to further peace; to the contrary, it has emboldened the worst actors in the region and persuaded them, with good reason, that violence yields results.

This decision represents a staggering betrayal of British Jews, who are already suffering the worst levels of antisemitism in living memory. This began under the previous Government and continues unabated under your watch. When you succeeded Jeremy Corbyn, you promised to “tear out antisemitism by the roots”, but other than platitudes about deploring antisemitism, your Government has taken barely a single notable action to combat it and punish the perpetrators. Instead, you have poured fuel on the fire, including with this latest decision, which so plainly rewards terrorism that Hamas have justifiably declared it a victory for their cause. It is not just them who can celebrate this policy, but the marchers on our streets who have tormented the Jewish community and so many decent Britons for two years now. The appalling message of this decision is that their way – intimidation, confrontation with police, threat and even violence – is the right one.

While Jews remain in barbaric captivity, starved and forced to dig their own graves, you have rewarded their captors. As Jews in Britain question their place in this country, you have sided with those who look to extinguish their future here – and in Israel. You have utterly failed to grasp the lessons of history, and have chosen appeasement over principle and political exigency over moral courage.

Your recognition came the day before the Jewish New Year, capping a second year of trauma for Jewish people worldwide. But it is not too late to change course. In Jewish tradition, the days following Rosh Hashanah are days of repentance, culminating in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. There is time to atone for this morally reprehensible decision and change course. Recognition can yet be rescinded, or, at a minimum, conditioned on the most basic humanitarian steps on the part of Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. There is also a Jewish tradition that on Yom Kippur, our deeds are sealed. If you fail to right this wrong, you will forever be the Prime Minister who betrayed the Jewish community in our hour of need, and that unforgivable treachery will be your lasting legacy.

We hope that you will urgently act to undo the harm that you have done.