British families of Hamas hostages blast Keir Starmer’s plan to recognise Palestinian state that they claim will leave loved ones ‘rotting in dungeons’
Keir Starmer‘s recognition of Palestine will not help the hostages still held in Gaza and is likely to leave them ‘rotting in Hamas dungeons’, relatives said last night.
British families say they were told that the release of those still in the hands of the group would ‘play no part’ in the UK’s plans to recognise statehood.
They urged the Prime Minister to change course.
Sir Keir announced earlier this week that the UK would take the step of recognising Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September unless Israel meets certain conditions.
Members of four British families met with Foreign Office officials on Thursday night seeking clarification on whether conditions would also be placed on Hamas, their lawyers said in a statement.
‘However, it was clear from the meeting that the British Government‘s policy will not help the hostages, and could even hurt them,’ they said.
‘We do not say this lightly, but it was made obvious to us at the meeting that although the conditions for recognising a Palestinian state would be assessed ‘in the round’ in late September, in deciding whether to go ahead with recognition, the release or otherwise of the hostages would play no part in those considerations.
‘In other words, the ‘vision for peace’ which the UK is pursuing… may well involve our clients’ family members continuing to rot in Hamas dungeons.’
Keir Starmer’s recognition of Palestine will not help the hostages still held in Gaza and is likely to leave them ‘rotting in Hamas dungeons’, relatives said last night
Pictured: Palestinians carry aid supplies that entered Gaza through Israel on Wednesday
Sir Keir said that he ‘particularly’ listens to hostages after criticism of his plans from Emily Damari (pictured), a British-Israeli woman who was held captive by Hamas
Sir Keir had said the UK would only refrain from recognising Palestine if Israel allows more aid into Gaza, stops annexing land in the West Bank, agrees to a ceasefire and signs up to a long-term peace process.
While he also called for Hamas to immediately release all remaining Israeli hostages, disarm and ‘accept that they will play no part in the government of Gaza’, he did not explicitly say these would factor into whether recognition would go ahead.
The families have a range of views on what the future political settlement should look like but their priority is to keep the hostages ‘above political games’, their lawyers said, as they urged the PM to ‘change course before it is too late’.
Sir Keir said that he ‘particularly’ listens to hostages after criticism of his plans from Emily Damari, a British-Israeli woman who was held captive by Hamas. The families of Ms Damari and freed hostage Eli Sharabi were among those who met with the Foreign Office.
Also present were relatives of Nadav Popplewell and Oded Lifshitz, who both died while in captivity, as well as those of Yocheved Lifschitz, who was released.
US President Donald Trump disagrees with Sir Keir’s plans, as well as those of France and Canada. The two countries have also pledged to recognise Palestine.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: ‘[Mr Trump] feels as though that’s rewarding Hamas at a time where Hamas is the true impediment to a ceasefire and the release of all of the hostages.’
Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, suggested Sir Keir’s ‘clumsy’ pledge ‘has reduced the chances of a ceasefire’.
Meanwhile pro-Palestinian groups are planning a ‘siege’ on Labour MPs, councillors and staff in a bid to force the party into an even tougher stance against Israel. The Palestinian Youth Movement has sent instructions to ‘solidarity groups’ across the UK to take part in a national day of action against the party.
