The British Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, has stated that the United Kingdom could officially recognize the Palestinian state after a ceasefire in Gaza, without waiting for the outcome of long-standing negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians regarding a two-state solution.
Cameron, the former British Prime Minister, made these remarks during his visit to Lebanon on Thursday, with the aim of easing regional tensions.
He emphasized that recognition couldn’t occur as long as Hamas remained in Gaza but could happen during ongoing negotiations between Israel and Palestinian leaders.
Cameron added that the UK’s recognition of an independent Palestinian state, including at the United Nations, “doesn’t necessarily have to come at the beginning of the process, but it shouldn’t necessarily be at the end either.”
He stated, “This might be something we seek when this process becomes more realistic. What we need to do is provide the Palestinian people with a path to a better future, a future in which they have their own state.”
Britain, along with the United States and other Western countries, has supported the idea of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel as a solution to the conflict but insisted that Palestinian independence should come through negotiated settlement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has openly opposed the creation of an independent Palestinian state after the war and has recently boasted about his role in preventing the establishment of such a state.
Recognition of the Palestinian state by some of Israel’s allies without Tel Aviv’s consent could isolate Israel and pressure it to return to the negotiation table. Cameron stated that the first step should be a “cessation of hostilities” in Gaza, leading ultimately to a “sustained and durable ceasefire.”
He added that for his country to recognize a Palestinian state, the armed leaders of Hamas would need to leave Gaza, as “you can’t have a two-state solution with those responsible for the events of October 7th still in control of Gaza.”
So far, Hamas has maintained a position that its leaders will not leave the territory as part of any ceasefire agreement.
Cameron also revealed that his country had proposed a plan to de-escalate tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border, where Hezbollah and Israeli forces have exchanged gunfire almost daily over the past four months, raising fears of an expanded conflict.
He stated that the plan includes British training for the Lebanese army to take on more security responsibilities in the border region.
