UK Issues Warning to Israel Amid Palestinian Statehood Recognition

Tue Oct 21 2025 00:00:11 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Following the UK's recognition of Palestinian statehood, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper urges Israel to refrain from retaliatory actions in the West Bank. This diplomatic shift aims to support peace while addressing concerns over extremism in the region.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper warned Israel against annexation of West Bank territory after the UK's recent recognition of Palestinian statehood, a move made in tandem with Canada, Australia, and Portugal. She emphasized that this policy aims to rejuvenate hopes for a two-state solution while ensuring security for both Israelis and Palestinians. In response, Israeli PM Netanyahu criticized the recognition as a reward for terrorism. The situation is part of a broader international effort to address violence and find a sustainable path for peace in the Middle East.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper says she has warned Israel not to annex parts of the West Bank in retaliation for the UK's recognition of Palestinian statehood.

Cooper was speaking to the BBC before attending a conference on Monday at the UN in New York where France and other European states are due to make a similar announcement.

In what was a significant change in policy, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the UK's recognition of a Palestinian state on Sunday, along with Canada, Australia, and Portugal.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the moves, saying they give a huge reward to terrorism.

Asked by the BBC if she was concerned Israel would take this declaration as a pretext for annexing parts of the West Bank, Cooper said she made it clear to her Israeli counterpart that he and his government must not do that.

She said: We have been clear that this decision that we are taking is about the best way to respect the security for Israel as well as the security for Palestinians. It's about protecting peace and justice and crucially security for the Middle East and we will continue to work with everyone across the region in order to be able to do that.

Cooper emphasized that extremists on both sides are attempting to undermine a two-state solution. She stated, The easy thing to do would be to just walk away and to say well it is all just too hard. We just think that is wrong when we've seen such devastation, such suffering. Just as we recognise Israel, the state of Israel ... so we must also recognise the rights for the Palestinians to a state of their own as well.

The foreign secretary's statements come as she convenes in New York during the ongoing UN General Assembly. Cooper will advocate for a cohesive international strategy towards peace in the Middle East, where France plans to co-host a discussion with Saudi Arabia to navigate the pathway towards a two-state solution.

Cooper's remarks follow Sir Keir Starmer's statement aimed at rekindling the prospects of peace when announcing the UK's recognition of a Palestinian state. Netanyahu, however, firmly insisted Palestinian statehood will not happen and described the British government's stance as a diplomatic misstep amid ongoing conflict.