Labour rift widens as Unions urge Starmer to back Palestinian statehood

Sir Keir Starmer has made it clear that his government will not move to unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state, despite growing internal divisions within the Labour Party over the issue. With the Middle East in escalating turmoil—highlighted by Israel's blockade of Gaza and rising tensions with Iran—Starmer reportedly reaffirmed the UK's longstanding stance on the matter.

He reiterated that a two-state solution remains, in his view, the only viable path to lasting peace in the region, even if that outcome currently appears distant. His comments suggest no shift in government policy, despite the intensifying pressure from some within his party.

Starmer's remarks came in the wake of mounting pressure from the Trades Union Congress (TUC), which represents several major unions that fund the Labour Party.

The TUC, along with its counterparts in Canada and France, released a joint statement urging the UK government to shift its stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The unions issued three key demands: immediate recognition of Palestinian statehood, a permanent ceasefire, and action to ensure Israel complies with international humanitarian law.

In the statement, the unions called on their respective governments to take a firm stand against the violence occurring in Gaza and the West Bank and expressed support for recent international appeals to halt Israel’s offensive and allow unrestricted humanitarian aid into the region.

The joint union statement described the proposed actions as essential first steps in easing civilian suffering in the region. The unions acknowledged recent statements from their governments condemning forced displacement and illegal settlement expansion, viewing these developments as welcome but insufficient without concrete measures.

They argued that, as G7 members, governments have a unique opportunity to send a strong international message, especially ahead of the upcoming UN conference in mid-June, co-hosted by France. Emphasising the urgency of the situation, the unions called for immediate and decisive action in pursuit of justice, peace, and Palestinian recognition, The Independent reported.

The statement, obtained by The Independent, surfaced as Sir Keir Starmer visited Canada for trade discussions with Prime Minister Mark Carney, ahead of the G7 summit, where the ongoing crisis in the Middle East is expected to dominate the agenda.

The pressure on the UK government to recognise Palestine has been mounting from within and beyond the Labour Party. Prominent Labour figures, including Dame Emily Thornbury, who chairs the Commons foreign affairs committee, have urged the UK to follow the lead of Ireland, Spain, and Norway, which formally recognised Palestinian statehood last year.

Calls for recognition have also come from outside Labour, with a group of Conservative MPs backing a letter from former minister Kit Malthouse urging the government to take that step. The Green Party and the SNP have consistently supported the move as well.

Despite this growing momentum, opposition remains within Labour ranks. Jon Pearce, who chairs Labour Friends of Israel—a group with strong cabinet connections, including Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Pat McFadden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster—has resisted the push. He argues that recognising Palestine at this stage would compromise the UK’s ability to act as a neutral mediator in the conflict.