'We’re determined to do so in September' if Israel does not end violence in Gaza, agree to ceasefire, 2-state solution, says Business Minister Gareth Thomas
The UK Business Minister Gareth Thomas has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to recognizing a Palestinian state, following legal concerns raised by members of the House of Lords.
Speaking to Times Radio during the morning media round on Thursday, Thomas said the government believed such a move would be lawful, but said it was ultimately a political decision.
"In the end, recognition of another state is a political judgment and over 140 countries have already recognized Palestine, and we’re determined to do so in September if Israel does not end the violence in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire and agree to a lasting route towards a two-state solution, and to no annexation in the West Bank," he said.
However, a group of 40 peers has written to Lord Hermer, the attorney general, warning that recognizing Palestine could breach international law.
The letter, extracts of which were published by The Times, argues that the Palestinian territories do not meet the legal criteria for statehood set out in the Montevideo Convention, a 1933 treaty that outlines the conditions for state recognition.
Under the convention, a state must have a permanent population, defined territory, a functioning government and the capacity to enter into relations with other states. The peers contend that Palestine arguably fails to meet any of these four conditions.
"We haven’t signed up to the Montevideo Convention, but is there a clear population in Palestine? Yes, there is in Gaza and the West Bank," Thomas said.
"We have made clear that we think you would recognize the state of Palestine, and that state of Palestine would be based on the 1967 borders," he added.
The Israeli army, rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, has pursued a brutal offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, killing more than 60,200 Palestinians. The relentless bombardment has devastated the enclave and led to food shortages.
On Monday, Israeli rights groups B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, citing the systematic destruction of Palestinian society and the deliberate dismantling of the territory’s health care system.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
