By David Hughes

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Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed the UK will recognise a Palestinian state in a historic if largely symbolic move.

The Prime Minister said the move was intended “to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis”.

He said: “Today, to revive the hope of peace and a two-state solution, I state clear as Prime Minister of this great country that the United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine.

“We recognised the State of Israel more than 75 years ago as a homeland for the Jewish people.

“Today we join over 150 countries who recognise a Palestinian state also.

“A pledge to the Palestinian and Israeli people that there can be a better future.”

The move comes ahead of the UN General Assembly this week, with other nations, including Australia and Canada, making similar moves shortly before Sir Keir’s announcement.

The UK Government has acknowledged that recognising a Palestinian state would not ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza nor contribute to the freeing of the hostages taken by Hamas.

But the UK believes the move is necessary to safeguard the prospect of a lasting two-state solution to the Middle East conflict, with Israel existing alongside a Palestinian state.

The mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan has said he fully supports the Prime Minister’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state and said it will mean “other countries have the confidence to do the same”.

Speaking to the PA news agency, Sir Sadiq said: “It’s really important that (recognition of a Palestinian state) happens.

“For a variety of reasons. One, because it sends a message to the Israeli government, who have been acting in an outrageous manner for the last few years.

“We want a two-state solution.

“You know, the way the Israeli government is behaving in Gaza makes that difficult, because the mere existence of Palestinian people in Gaza is very, very difficult, but also it’s really important, because what it does is it means other countries have the confidence do the same.”

However, a spokeswoman for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netayahu said he viewed the recognition of a Palestinian state as “absurd”.

Shosh Bedrosian told reporters: “There have been media reports suggesting the British prime minister Keir Starmer is planning on announcing the UK’s recognition of a Palestinian state today, a manoeuvre that prime minister Netanyahu has called absurd and simply a reward for terrorism.

She said Hamas did not want a state alongside Israel “they want a state instead of Israel”.

She added: “The Prime Minister has made it very clear to me that his message to nations that are taking the avenue to disregard the sheer utter chaos Hamas has thrusted Gaza into and Israel, including our soldiers, families and of course, hostages still held in Hamas captivity, that the people of Israel aren’t going to commit suicide because of the political needs of European politics.”