221 cross-party MPs urge Foreign Secretary to recognise a Palestinian State ahead of UN Conference next week

Following the publication of the letter on 25/7/25, additional Members of Parliament have added their names. An updated letter, detailing all 255 signatories is available HERE.

Sarah Champion, Member of Parliament for Rotherham and Chair of the International Development Select Committee, has coordinated a cross-party letter to the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary, pressing for UK recognition of Palestinian statehood at the forthcoming UN Conference, taking place in New York on 28th-29th July. The letter is signed by 221 MPs, from nine political parties.[1]

It states, “We are expectant that the outcome of the conference will be the UK Government outlining when and how it will act on its long-standing commitment on a two-state solution; as well as how it will work with international partners to make this a reality.”

It argues that UK recognition would have a significant impact due to the UK’s historic connections and membership on the UN Security Council.

A two-state solution has been the cross-party consensus for decades, and something that the UK has supported since 1980. Parliament also voted overwhelmingly in favour of recognition in October 2014, and in November 2012. The then Conservative First Secretary of State and MP for Richmond said; “We want to see a Palestinian state and look forward to the day when its people can enjoy the same rights and dignity as those of any other nation.” [2, 3] 

Commenting, Champion said: “Parliament has backed Palestinian statehood for more than a decade. The broad support, from across the House, that my joint letter has received, shows clearly the strength of feeling from Parliamentarians in favour of recognising the state of Palestine without delay.’

‘While recognition alone will not end the suffering in Gaza or the rapid expansion of settlements and settler violence in the West Bank, it is an important symbolic step on the path to the two-state solution. That remains the only viable proposal to secure a lasting peace for the region.’ 

‘Recognition would send a powerful symbolic message that we support the rights of the Palestinian people, that they are not alone and they need to maintain hope that there is a route that leads to lasting peace and security for both the Israeli and the Palestinian people.’

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

[1] A full copy of the original letter is available here. An updated version with additional signatories as of 28/7/25, is available HERE.

[2] 13th October 2014 Motion: That this House believes that the Government should recognise the state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel.

[3] 28th November 2012 Statement: The Lord Hague of Richmond on Palestinian Resolution (United Nations)