Dozens of UK Mosques Appeal to Starmer Over Palestinian Statehood Recognition

IQNA – Dozens of mosques and Muslim organizations across the United Kingdom have called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to formally recognize the state of Palestine, following a recent shift in the UK’s diplomatic stance toward the Israeli regime.

In a joint letter sent on Thursday, signatories welcomed the suspension of UK-Israel free trade negotiations, announced earlier in the week by Foreign Secretary David Lammy. On Tuesday, Lammy confirmed in Parliament that the government had summoned the Israeli ambassador to London and halted ongoing trade discussions, citing concerns over the regime’s military operations and humanitarian restrictions in Gaza.

Faith-based institutions, including the Association of Muslim Scholars in Great Britain, the London Central Mosque Trust, and the Islamic Academy of Manchester, expressed support for the government’s move but stressed it did not go far enough.

In the letter, the signatories state: “We are profoundly concerned by the UK Government’s failure to act determinedly. The absence of meaningful diplomatic or humanitarian intervention and continued material support to Israel undermines the UK's stated commitment to international law, justice and the protection of human rights.”

The letter urges Starmer’s administration to press for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all captives, and an end to the Israeli military occupation of Palestinian territories.

It also calls for formal recognition of Palestinian statehood “in accordance with international consensus and United Nations resolutions” and the suspension of arms exports to Israel.

The signatories frame their appeal as a moral obligation, stating: “As civic and faith-based institutions rooted in conscience and compassion, we believe it is our shared duty to work towards ending decades of injustice and displacement in Palestine.”

Their appeal adds to growing domestic and international pressure on the UK to take more assertive action on the Israel-Palestine conflict. In late April, Lammy revealed that the UK was engaged in discussions with France and Saudi Arabia about potentially recognizing a Palestinian state — a move reportedly under consideration ahead of a United Nations conference on the so-called “two-state solution” next month.

During his remarks in Parliament, Lammy criticized the Israeli government’s “egregious actions and rhetoric,” and described its conduct as “incompatible with the principles that underpin our bilateral relationship.”

Source: Agencies