UK will follow through on vow to recognise Palestine over Israeli policies, Lammy says

The British government intends to make good on its threat to recognise a Palestinian state this month if Israel does not meet its conditions. 

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy told parliament on Monday afternoon that government officials intend to conduct a formal assessment in the coming days of whether Israel has met a series of tests from Britain.

These conditions, announced in late July, included that Israel agree to a ceasefire and commit not to annex any of the occupied West Bank.

Since Israel is continuing to wage war in Gaza and reportedly gearing up to annex the West Bank, the government is on track to recognise Palestine before the UN general assembly, which starts on 9 September.

Lammy told parliament on Monday afternoon: [INSERT QUOTES]

Barring a dramatic diplomatic reversal and extraordinary political transformation in Israel, France and Britain will become the first G7 countries to recognise Palestine this month.

Last month the government published a memorandum of understanding with the Palestinian Authority, which said Britain is committed to "the two-state solution based on 1967 lines" and "does not recognise the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, as part of Israel".

The memorandum declares: "The West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza, must be reunified under its sole authority."

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It adds that "the UK affirms the inalienable right of the Palestinian people of self-determination, including to an independent state".

In a significant statement of British support for the Palestinian Authority, the document insists that the PA "must have the central role in the next phase in Gaza on governance, security and early recovery".

British officials have previously demanded that Hamas should disarm and end its rule in Gaza. 

Despite longstanding UK military help to Israel during its genocide in the besieged Palestinian territory, Israeli leaders have angrily condemned Downing Street over its threat to sanction the state.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused the UK and other countries pledging to recognise a Palestinian state of siding with Hamas.