Keir Starmer is under intense pressure to help stop suffering in Gaza (Image: Alberto Pezzali / Anadolu)
Britain risks rewarding terrorism if it recognises Palestinian statehood without demanding an end to “payments for murder”, the Government has been warned. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said the UK will recognise the state of Palestine this month unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza and revives the prospect of a two-state solution.
Critics of the Palestinian Authority (PA) have accused it of running a “pay for slay” fund by providing payments to families of Palestinians imprisoned or killed by Israel’s forces. In February, following longstanding pressure from the United States, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree overturning the payments system. However, there are strong concerns that militants continue to benefit from support.
Article continues belowADVERTISEMENT
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Trump issues 'final warning' as he gives major update over war in Gaza
Hamas in disarray as 'frustrated Trump gives green light' to major Israeli attack
Greta Thunberg's Gaza aid boat burns after suspected drone attack
SNP stops cash for companies arming Israel and flies Palestine flag
French PM warns legislators ‘don't be like Britain!' as he faces government collapse
Disaster for Keir Starmer as nearly 900k demand immediate general election
France today is a nightmare vision for Keir Starmer's Britain
UK terrorists being recruited online by Iran's hardline Revolutionary Guard
Keir Starmer breaks his silence on Angela Rayner's resignation
The Angela Rayner replacement who would be an even bigger nightmare for Keir Starmer
Kemi Badenoch tells Keir Starmer to stop Angela Rayner's ￡5bn bombshell killing growth
Angela Rayner's resignation letter in full as ￡40k stamp duty row explodes
Labour civil war over deputy leader contest with Keir Starmer accused of 'stitch up'
Angela Rayner's grubby hypocrisy will never be forgiven by UK voters
GB News hosts speechless as Angela Rayner 'stepping down' is bad news for Keir Starmer
Labour in utter chaos after Angela Rayner resignation - what happens next?
Ed Miliband humiliated as even Keir Starmer turns on net zero madness
Moment stuttering Labour minister won't answer honest Rayner probe in GMB clash
BBC Breakfast viewers issue same complaint as sobbing Angela Rayner dealt humiliating blow
'Tax evader' graffiti painted near Angela Rayner's ￡800k seaside flat amid stamp duty row
Trump issues 'final warning' as he gives major update over war in Gaza
Hamas in disarray as 'frustrated Trump gives green light' to major Israeli attack
Greta Thunberg's Gaza aid boat burns after suspected drone attack
SNP stops cash for companies arming Israel and flies Palestine flag
French PM warns legislators ‘don't be like Britain!' as he faces government collapse
Disaster for Keir Starmer as nearly 900k demand immediate general election
France today is a nightmare vision for Keir Starmer's Britain
UK terrorists being recruited online by Iran's hardline Revolutionary Guard
Keir Starmer breaks his silence on Angela Rayner's resignation
The Angela Rayner replacement who would be an even bigger nightmare for Keir Starmer
Kemi Badenoch tells Keir Starmer to stop Angela Rayner's ￡5bn bombshell killing growth
Angela Rayner's resignation letter in full as ￡40k stamp duty row explodes
Labour civil war over deputy leader contest with Keir Starmer accused of 'stitch up'
Angela Rayner's grubby hypocrisy will never be forgiven by UK voters
GB News hosts speechless as Angela Rayner 'stepping down' is bad news for Keir Starmer
Labour in utter chaos after Angela Rayner resignation - what happens next?
Ed Miliband humiliated as even Keir Starmer turns on net zero madness
Moment stuttering Labour minister won't answer honest Rayner probe in GMB clash
BBC Breakfast viewers issue same complaint as sobbing Angela Rayner dealt humiliating blow
'Tax evader' graffiti painted near Angela Rayner's ￡800k seaside flat amid stamp duty row
Trump issues 'final warning' as he gives major update over war in Gaza
Hamas in disarray as 'frustrated Trump gives green light' to major Israeli attack
Greta Thunberg's Gaza aid boat burns after suspected drone attack
SNP stops cash for companies arming Israel and flies Palestine flag
French PM warns legislators ‘don't be like Britain!' as he faces government collapse
Disaster for Keir Starmer as nearly 900k demand immediate general election
France today is a nightmare vision for Keir Starmer's Britain
UK terrorists being recruited online by Iran's hardline Revolutionary Guard
Keir Starmer breaks his silence on Angela Rayner's resignation
The Angela Rayner replacement who would be an even bigger nightmare for Keir Starmer
Kemi Badenoch tells Keir Starmer to stop Angela Rayner's ￡5bn bombshell killing growth
Angela Rayner's resignation letter in full as ￡40k stamp duty row explodes
Labour civil war over deputy leader contest with Keir Starmer accused of 'stitch up'
Angela Rayner's grubby hypocrisy will never be forgiven by UK voters
GB News hosts speechless as Angela Rayner 'stepping down' is bad news for Keir Starmer
Labour in utter chaos after Angela Rayner resignation - what happens next?
Ed Miliband humiliated as even Keir Starmer turns on net zero madness
Moment stuttering Labour minister won't answer honest Rayner probe in GMB clash
BBC Breakfast viewers issue same complaint as sobbing Angela Rayner dealt humiliating blow
'Tax evader' graffiti painted near Angela Rayner's ￡800k seaside flat amid stamp duty row
Conservative MP Katie Lam said: “The Prime Minister’s plan to recognise a Palestinian state rewards terrorism. Not only does it leave Israeli hostages to the cruelty of Hamas, it legitimises the worst acts of the Palestinian Authority.
“It is nonsensical that the UK would do this without demanding the PA end its sickening payments for murder and terrorism. Labour hasn’t just lost its moral compass, it’s lost the plot.”
Read more: Trump and Starmer to discuss Gaza's 'unspeakable suffering'
Read more: Britain should evacuate critically injured children from Gaza to UK, MPs say
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We welcome the vital progress made by the Palestinian Authority to reform prisoner payments. The Palestinian Authority must now ensure an independent audit verifies that the reforms have been completed.
“Alongside our partners, the UK will continue to support the Palestinian Authority as it delivers its important reform agenda.”
International horror at the death toll in Gaza has put the issue of Palestinian statehood on the international agenda. States including Australia, Belgium, Canada and France have unveiled plans to recognise Palestine at a meeting of the UN General Assembly.
The plight of Palestinian civillians has galvanised international concern (Image: Getty)
Lord Walney, a former Government adviser on political violence, said the Palestinian Authority had an “appalling record of glorifying and financially rewarding acts of terrorism” and said British taxpayers would be “horrified to learn” it is “now set to be gifted statehood”.
He said: “The British Government cannot hope to tackle extremism at home if it rewards it abroad.”
An Israeli Embassy spokesman said: “As the Prime Minister of Israel has made clear, we regret the United Kingdom’s intention to recognise a Palestinian state. Such a move would embolden extremists, as shown by Hamas’s immediate praise for the decision.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
France today is a nightmare vision for Keir Starmer's Britain
UK terrorists being recruited online by Iran's hardline Revolutionary Guard
Keir Starmer breaks his silence on Angela Rayner's resignation
The Angela Rayner replacement who would be an even bigger nightmare for Keir Starmer
Kemi Badenoch tells Keir Starmer to stop Angela Rayner's ￡5bn bombshell killing growth
Angela Rayner's resignation letter in full as ￡40k stamp duty row explodes
Labour civil war over deputy leader contest with Keir Starmer accused of 'stitch up'
Angela Rayner's grubby hypocrisy will never be forgiven by UK voters
GB News hosts speechless as Angela Rayner 'stepping down' is bad news for Keir Starmer
Labour in utter chaos after Angela Rayner resignation - what happens next?
Ed Miliband humiliated as even Keir Starmer turns on net zero madness
Moment stuttering Labour minister won't answer honest Rayner probe in GMB clash
BBC Breakfast viewers issue same complaint as sobbing Angela Rayner dealt humiliating blow
'Tax evader' graffiti painted near Angela Rayner's ￡800k seaside flat amid stamp duty row
Trump issues 'final warning' as he gives major update over war in Gaza
Hamas in disarray as 'frustrated Trump gives green light' to major Israeli attack
Greta Thunberg's Gaza aid boat burns after suspected drone attack
SNP stops cash for companies arming Israel and flies Palestine flag
French PM warns legislators ‘don't be like Britain!' as he faces government collapse
Disaster for Keir Starmer as nearly 900k demand immediate general election
France today is a nightmare vision for Keir Starmer's Britain
UK terrorists being recruited online by Iran's hardline Revolutionary Guard
Keir Starmer breaks his silence on Angela Rayner's resignation
The Angela Rayner replacement who would be an even bigger nightmare for Keir Starmer
Kemi Badenoch tells Keir Starmer to stop Angela Rayner's ￡5bn bombshell killing growth
Angela Rayner's resignation letter in full as ￡40k stamp duty row explodes
Labour civil war over deputy leader contest with Keir Starmer accused of 'stitch up'
Angela Rayner's grubby hypocrisy will never be forgiven by UK voters
GB News hosts speechless as Angela Rayner 'stepping down' is bad news for Keir Starmer
Labour in utter chaos after Angela Rayner resignation - what happens next?
Ed Miliband humiliated as even Keir Starmer turns on net zero madness
Moment stuttering Labour minister won't answer honest Rayner probe in GMB clash
BBC Breakfast viewers issue same complaint as sobbing Angela Rayner dealt humiliating blow
'Tax evader' graffiti painted near Angela Rayner's ￡800k seaside flat amid stamp duty row
Trump issues 'final warning' as he gives major update over war in Gaza
Hamas in disarray as 'frustrated Trump gives green light' to major Israeli attack
Greta Thunberg's Gaza aid boat burns after suspected drone attack
SNP stops cash for companies arming Israel and flies Palestine flag
French PM warns legislators ‘don't be like Britain!' as he faces government collapse
Disaster for Keir Starmer as nearly 900k demand immediate general election
France today is a nightmare vision for Keir Starmer's Britain
UK terrorists being recruited online by Iran's hardline Revolutionary Guard
Keir Starmer breaks his silence on Angela Rayner's resignation
The Angela Rayner replacement who would be an even bigger nightmare for Keir Starmer
Kemi Badenoch tells Keir Starmer to stop Angela Rayner's ￡5bn bombshell killing growth
Angela Rayner's resignation letter in full as ￡40k stamp duty row explodes
Labour civil war over deputy leader contest with Keir Starmer accused of 'stitch up'
“The Palestinian Authority remains unwilling to reform, continuing to fuel terrorism through incitement, glorification of violence, and the “pay- or slay” scheme. Any claim of reform is a tactical deception, masking ongoing payments to terrorists.
“Recognition in these circumstances will not bring peace; it will only entrench extremism and instability.”
The Palestinian Mission to the UK was invited to comment.
Read next
SUBSCRIBEInvalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy