“Palestinian lives have been treated as bargaining chips” say Greens as recognition of a Palestinian state nears

Responding to reports that Sir Keir Starmer is expected to announce the UK’s recognition of a Palestinian state in a statement on Sunday afternoon, Green Party MP, Ellie Chowns, said: 

“I welcome the UK’s long-overdue recognition of the state of Palestine – a vital affirmation of Palestinian dignity and rights after decades of dispossession and suffering. For too long, Palestinian lives have been treated as bargaining chips; I condemn the government’s delay in recognising Palestine, and I am appalled at the way Palestinian statehood has been held up behind conditions for the Israeli government to meet, rather than advanced as a matter of principle.

“While recognition is important, there is much, much more that the UK can and must do to take real, concrete action to end the Israeli government’s genocide in Gaza. We must deploy every diplomatic, legal, and economic lever to secure an immediate and lasting ceasefire; guarantee unfettered and sustained humanitarian access to Gaza’s starving people; ensure the release of every remaining hostage; and insist on clear, time-bound deadlines for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The UK should immediately stop all arms sales and military cooperation, impose tough sanctions on all those responsible for war crimes, and ban imports from illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

“And with the UN commission concluding just last week that Israeli forces are committing genocide in Gaza, the UK must drive impartial investigations into war crimes and support justice mechanisms for victims.  Recognition is vital – but must be accompanied by meaningful UK action to exert pressure to end the genocide, build peace, rebuild lives, and tackle the root injustices that have fuelled this conflict.”

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