00:00A stunning development in Israel's nearly two-year war in Gaza.
00:04UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces a major shift in policy, pledging to recognize
00:09a Palestinian state if Israel continues its war in the enclave.
00:13As part of this process towards peace, I can confirm the UK will recognize the state of
00:20Palestine by the United Nations General Assembly in September unless the Israeli government
00:28takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire, and
00:35commit to a long-term sustainable peace, reviving the prospect of a two-state solution.
00:42Starmer's remarks follow an announcement last week from French President Emmanuel Macron that
00:46his country would recognize Palestine.
00:48Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the UK's announcement in a social media post,
00:53saying it rewards Hamas' terrorism and punishes its victims.
00:57while France's foreign minister welcomed it.
01:00With the pivotal decisions announced by France and the United Kingdom, and with the combined
01:06efforts of the entire international community gathered here in New York, we want to end the
01:10cycle of violence and war and reopen the prospect of peace in the Near and Middle East.
01:16It comes as the United Nations holds a multi-day discussion on a two-state solution, and as international
01:22pressure grows on Israel to reach a ceasefire with Hamas and end the nearly two-year war that
01:27has seen over 60,000 people killed in Gaza.
01:31But missing from the U.N. talks, Israel and its biggest backer, the U.S., which has rejected
01:36calls for the two-state solution.
01:37This is a publicity stunt that comes in the middle of delicate diplomatic efforts to end
01:43the conflict in Gaza.
01:45Far from promoting peace, the conference will prolong the war, will embolden Hamas, and reward
01:51its obstruction and undermine real-world efforts to achieve real peace.
01:56The U.K.'s move to recognize the state of Palestine was a surprise for its ally, the U.S.,
02:02coming just one day after Starmer met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Scotland.
02:07The two held a joint press conference on Gaza, both pledging more humanitarian aid.
02:11We never discussed it, surprisingly.
02:13It was never really discussed, maybe a little bit at the news conference, but he was sort
02:18of discussing it with you.
02:19We never did discuss it, and we have no view on that.
02:24With pressure growing on Israel to end its war, and both the U.K. and France's deadline
02:28of September fast approaching, the global community will be keeping a close eye on Gaza
02:33and Israel's next moves.
02:35Chris Mullen, Tiffany Wong for Taiwan Plus.
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