The UK will use the UN General Assembly to push for international backing of a framework for peace in the Middle East, following its recognition of a Palestinian state.
The question of Palestinian statehood is likely to dominate the gathering of world leaders in New York in the coming days.
Sir Keir Starmer confirmed the historic if largely symbolic move on Sunday, saying it was intended âto revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelisâ.
Australia, Canada and Portugal made similar announcements, while France is expected to formally recognise Palestine on Monday at the UN.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said she will use the summit to address civilian suffering in war-ravaged Gaza and seek to strengthen âthe international consensus on our pathway for peace in the Middle Eastâ.
She will hold bilateral meetings to advance elements of the plan, including transitional governance and security measures to ensure Hamas has no role in the future governance of Gaza, according to the Foreign Office.
The UK Government has acknowledged that recognising a Palestinian state would not ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza nor contribute to the freeing of the hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 2023.
But the UK believes the move is necessary to safeguard the prospect of a lasting two-state solution to the Middle East conflict, with Israel existing alongside a Palestinian state.
Several countries are expected to join about 150 others in recognising Palestinian statehood at UN meetings, to revive the waning cause of a two-state solution, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia from Monday.
But this will likely prompt a fierce backlash from Israel and its key ally the United States.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu branded the UK move âabsurdâ and âsimply a reward for terrorismâ, while US president Donald Trump said âIâm not in that campâ because the move was ârewarding Hamasâ.
Families of hostages held in Gaza called it a âbetrayal of humanity and a move that rewards Hamas while 48 hostages remain in captivityâ.
Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi reportedly hailed the UK, Canada and Australiaâs move as a victory for âthe justice of our causeâ.
In an effort to counter that criticism, Sir Keir said Hamas was a âbrutal terror organisationâ and confirmed plans to ratchet up sanctions on the group.
âOur call for a genuine two-state solution is the exact opposite of their hateful vision,â he said.
But with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza escalating and Israel pushing ahead with settlements in the West Bank, Sir Keir said âthe hope of a two-state solution is fadingâ but âwe cannot let that light go outâ.
Ms Cooper said: âAt this moment of intense global instability and conflict, UK diplomacy and leadership has never been more important.
âInnocent civilians are suffering in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan.
âCountries worldwide are dealing with high levels of migration including displaced and trafficked people.
âAnd climate change is not just a future threat to our survival, but a source of chaos and suffering across every continent today.
âThis week at the UN General Assembly we will be pursuing progress across all those challenges, in particular by strengthening the international consensus on our pathway for peace in the Middle East, and our coalition against Russian aggression in Ukraine.â
She will represent the UK alongside Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, who said his focus would be on âending conflict and shaping AI for the common goodâ.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey criticised Sir Keirâs absence at the summit.
He said: âThe Prime Minister should not be missing in action from Britainâs historic recognition of Palestinian statehood just because heâs worried about upsetting Donald Trump.â
