Updated September 21, 2025 at 6:44 AM MST

LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed Sunday that the U.K. is formally recognizing a Palestinian state despite vociferous opposition from the U.S. and Israel.

His announcement follows those from Canada and Australia.

Starmer said the move is intended "to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis."

Though the move is largely symbolic, it is a historic moment as the U.K. arguably laid the groundwork for the creation of the Israeli state when it was in control of what was then known as Palestine in 1917.

The announcement was widely anticipated after Starmer said in July that the U.K. would recognize a Palestinian state unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza , allowed the U.N. to bring in aid and took oth

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