Independent MP tables bill for UK recognition of Palestinian State

A bill calling for the UK to formally recognise the State of Palestine has been submitted to Parliament by Leicester South’s Independent MP, Shockat Adam, in what could mark a major shift in British foreign policy.

If passed, Britain would join 146 other UN member states in diplomatically recognising Palestinian statehood, following recent recognitions by Spain, Ireland and Norway in May.

The bill, scheduled for debate on 29 November, has garnered cross-party support, with notable sponsorship from several independent MPs elected on pro-Gaza platforms in July. These include former Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, alongside Adnan Hussain, Iqbal Mohamed and Ayoub Khan.

Additional sponsors include Green Party MP, Sian Berry, SNP representatives Brendan O’Hara and Stephen Gethins, and Plaid Cymru’s Liz Saville-Roberts. Labour backbencher, Kim Johnson, stands as the sole sponsor from the opposition party, while former Labour MP, Ian Byrne, who now sits as an independent after losing the whip over his stance on welfare policies, has also backed the bill.

In announcing the bill on social media platform X, Adam emphasised its timing: “The time for Palestine and Palestinians is now. As Israel has done everything in its capacity to destroy any chance of Palestinian statehood – through settlement, land theft and, now, the wholesale decimation of Gaza – British recognition will serve to reinforce the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination, which cannot be vetoed by Israel.”

Adam argues that UK recognition would “ensure a path to peace for everyone in the region and the world, and would not come at the expense of any community.” He has called on the public to lobby their MPs to support the bill during the upcoming debate.

I have submitted a bill to parliament for the UK to formally recognise the state of Palestine, this would be a significant step in supporting the rights of the Palestinian people.

The time for Palestine and Palestinians is now. As Israel has done everything in its capacity to… pic.twitter.com/t8cgsJw4CB

— Shockat Adam MP (@ShockatAdam) October 21, 2024

The bill’s passage largely hinges on Labour’s position, particularly given the Conservative Party’s anticipated opposition. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s stance will be crucial, as his party holds a significant parliamentary majority. Labour’s election manifesto committed to recognising a Palestinian state “as a contribution to a renewed peace process which results in a two-state solution.”

The move comes amid growing international pressure for the recognition of a Palestinian State, with three-quarters of UN member states already formally acknowledging Palestinian statehood. If successful, the bill would represent a historic shift in British policy.

READ: Over quarter of million housing units destroyed in Gaza