Prime Minister Keir Starmer told an emergency cabinet meeting on Tuesday that Britain will formally recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September unless Israel takes “substantive steps” to end the war in Gaza. The ultimatum marks the first time London has attached a timetable to the long-standing policy of recognising Palestine when it considers the move most conducive to peace. According to a government read-out, the recognition will proceed unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire with Hamas, allows unhindered humanitarian aid into Gaza, pledges no annexation of the West Bank and recommits to negotiations leading to a two-state solution. Starmer said an assessment of Israel’s actions will be made shortly before the UN meetings, adding that neither side will hold a veto over the UK decision. Starmer spoke by telephone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the announcement. Israel’s foreign ministry condemned the plan as a “reward for Hamas,” while Starmer insisted the measure is intended to preserve the viability of a negotiated settlement and reiterated that Hamas must release all hostages, disarm and forgo any role in Gaza’s future governance. If carried out, the move would make Britain the second permanent UN Security Council member after France to recognise Palestine, underscoring Israel’s growing diplomatic isolation amid images of starvation and civilian suffering in Gaza. Starmer has faced mounting pressure from Labour lawmakers and the British public to harden his stance; he recalled ministers from their summer recess to finalise the position after meeting U.S. President Donald Trump in Scotland on Monday.