What do you even say?

Dear Anthony, 

The suffering must end in the Middle East.

Right now, in Gaza, we are seeing horrifying images that will stay with us for a lifetime. Starving babies. Children too weak to stand. All because of a catastrophic failure of aid. 

Hostages taken by Hamas on the 7th October on the day of its horrific attack remain in captivity.

It is time for action to bring this humanitarian crisis to an end through an immediate ceasefire and a long-term peace plan. That ceasefire must be sustainable and lead to a wider peace plan. 

That is what I am working for with our international partners, and why I wanted to write to you as Labour Party members to share what I announced this evening on behalf of the British Government today.

This plan will deliver security and proper governance in Gaza and pave the way for negotiations on a Two State Solution. 

Our goal remains a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state. However, right now that goal is under pressure like never before.

I’ve always said that Palestinian statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people – as set out in Labour’s manifesto – and that we would recognise a Palestinian state as a contribution to a proper peace process.

With a Two State Solution under threat, this is the moment to act. 

That’s why I have confirmed today that the UK is on a pathway to recognise the state of Palestine in September; unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire and commit to a long-term, sustainable peace – reviving the prospect of a Two State Solution. 

This includes allowing the UN to restart the supply of aid and making clear there will be no annexations in the West Bank.

Meanwhile, our message to the Hamas terrorists is unchanged and unequivocal. Release all the hostages. Sign up to a ceasefire. Disarm. And accept that they will play no part in the government of Gaza.

We will make an assessment ahead of the UN General Assembly on how far the parties have met these steps. But no one side will have a veto on our decision.

As we move forward, we must fix the immediate humanitarian crisis now and create the conditions for a lasting peace, with security and sovereignty for both sides.

That is the outcome I am working to deliver with our allies: an urgent end to the suffering, food and medicine flooding into Gaza, and a more stable future for the Middle East. 

Because I know that is what the British people desperately want to see.

Keir Starmer

Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party