4 h. ago David Lammy delivers warning to Israel as UK prepares to recognise Palestine

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said that Britain plans to deliver on its ultimatum to recognise Palestine at the UN General Assembly unless there is a breakthrough on a ceasefire

Events

31 h. ago UK still intends to recognise a Palestinian state, David Lammy to tell MPs

Foreign secretary to say an assessment will be carried out of whether Israel has complied with Keir Starmer’s termsDavid Lammy will tell MPs on Monday that the UK still intends to recognise a Palestinian state next month, with Israel having shown no sign of meeting the government’s demands.The foreign secretary will say in a Commons statement that government officials intend to carry out a formal assessment in the coming days of whether Israel has complied with the tests set out by the prime minister, Keir Starmer, last month. Continue reading...

Politics

2 d. ago US bars Palestinian leader Abbas from UN meeting to recognise state

Trump administration extends visa ban to include authority’s president

Politics

1 week ago Israel to call up 50,000 reservists before planned offensive on Gaza City, says Israeli military official – Middle East crisis live

Call-up notices sent as Israeli plans to increase its offensive; Israel studies Hamas’ response to proposal for 60-day ceasefireGood afternoon, Israel will call up 50,000 reservists before a planned offensive to take Gaza City but most forces that would operate in the Gaza Strip’s largest urban centre would be active duty soldiers, an Israeli military official said on Wednesday. The call-up notices could be sent in the coming days, with reservists to report for duty in September, the military official said.“Most of the troops that will be mobilised in this new stage will be active duty and not reservists,” said the official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday that he treats leaders of other countries with respect after his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu attacked him over his decision to recognise a Palestinian state. “I don’t take these things personally, I engage with people diplomatically. He has had similar t...

Events

2 w. ago Israel’s foreign minister revokes visas of Australian representatives to Palestinian Authority

The move follows Australia’s refusal of a visa for the far-right Israeli politician Simcha RothmanGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIsrael’s foreign minister has revoked the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority, citing Australia’s “unjustified refusal” to grant visas to Israeli figures and its intention to recognise Palestinian statehood.In a post to X on Monday night, Gideon Sa’ar said the decision was made following the Albanese government’s cancellation of Simcha Rothman’s visa on Monday ahead of his speaking tour this month. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Labour needs to ‘pick things up’ after a ‘tough’ first year, says Sadiq Khan – UK politics live

London mayor says he has ‘confidence we will turn it round’ as he addresses audience at Edinburgh fringeThe former home secretary Jack Straw has urged Labour not to panic about the threat of Reform, who are riding high in the polls as Nigel Farage capitalises on the “small boats” and asylum backlog issue. Here is an extract from the write up of the interview he gave to the Guardian’s deputy political editor, Jessica Elgot:In an interview with the Guardian, he praised Starmer’s intention to recognise a Palestinian state after an ultimatum to Israel – but defended the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, saying he would also have proscribed the direct action group Palestine Action.The British political veteran said he believed Starmer and his cabinet were “head and shoulders” above opposition politicians and would reap the rewards of a gradual improvement in the economy and public services, which would not come immediately. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Jack Straw urges Labour not to panic about threat of Nigel Farage

Former home secretary praises Keir Starmer’s success on world stage and says PM can win over sceptical UK publicKeir Starmer and his ministers must not “panic” about the threat of Nigel Farage, the former home secretary Jack Straw has said, adding that the prime minister had impressed on the world stage and should show more of that side of himself at home.In an interview with the Guardian, he praised Starmer’s intention to recognise a Palestinian state after an ultimatum to Israel – but defended the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, saying he would also have proscribed the direct action group Palestine Action. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Middle East crisis live: time not right to recognise Palestinian state, says Danish PM – updates

Mette Frederiksen says recognition should take place when a ‘sustainable and democratic state’ could be created, and that Denmark would use its EU presidency to increase pressure on Israel and HamasThe Metropolitan police has said that 60 more people will be prosecuted for showing support for Palestine Action, which was proscribed by the UK government last month.More than 700 people have been arrested for supporting the group since its proscription on 5 July.We are deeply concerned about the unimaginable crisis in Gaza, which is having a terrible impact on civilians and especially the children. Starvation is deepening. Water scarcity is increasing very much each day. Colleagues on the ground are reporting that people are now basically rationing between either using water for drinking or for hygiene. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Harlem to Hebron: the long history of Black solidarity with Palestinians

A mutual alliance between oppressed people has been revived with Israel’s full-scale invasion of GazaDon’t already get The Long Wave in your inbox? Sign up here“Our freedom will be incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinian people.” When Nelson Mandela spoke those words in 1997, it resonated deeply across much of the Black diaspora, which has long felt a strong kinship with the struggles of the Palestinian people. In this week’s Long Wave, as yet more journalists are killed in Gaza, and some western countries make belated moves to recognise a Palestinian state, I examine the history of that Black solidarity, and how it has endured.Before that, some housekeeping: we’d love to know what you think of The Long Wave – what you’re enjoying, what you’re not and how we can improve. So if you can spare a few minutes, please fill out this short survey. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Recognising Palestinian state must not distract from ending Gaza mass deaths, UN expert says

Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur for the occupied territories, calls for practical actions and warns against distracting ‘attention from where it should be: the genocide’The United Nations special rapporteur for the occupied territories has warned that moves to recognise a Palestinian state should not distract member states from stopping mass death and starvation in Gaza.“Of course it’s important to recognize the state of Palestine,” Francesca Albanese told the Guardian after several more countries responded to the mounting starvation in Gaza by announcing plans to recognize an independent Palestine. “It’s incoherent that they’ve not done it already.” Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago MP removed from New Zealand parliament in heated debate over Palestinian recognition

Green party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick accused government MPs of lacking a ‘spine’ during debate on whether to recognise a Palestinian stateNew Zealand parliamentarian Chlöe Swarbrick was ordered to leave parliament on Tuesday during a heated debate over the government’s response to the conflict in Gaza.An urgent debate was called after the centre-right government said on Monday it was weighing up its position on whether to recognise a Palestinian state. Close ally Australia on Monday joined Canada, the UK and France in announcing it would recognise a Palestinian state at a UN conference in September. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Australia’s PM Albanese says Netanyahu ‘in denial’ over suffering in Gaza

Australian premier says Israel’s reluctance to listen to allies contributed to his decision to recognise a Palestinian state

Politics

2 w. ago Australia’s Albanese says Israeli PM Netanyahu ‘in denial’ over suffering in Gaza

Australian premier says Israel’s reluctance to listen to allies contributed to his decision to recognise a Palestinian state

Politics

3 w. ago Australia joins France, Britain and Canada to recognise a Palestinian state

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says a two-state solution is the ‘best hope’ to bring an end to the conflict

Politics

3 w. ago Hundreds march in London against UK recognising a Palestinian state

Hundreds march in London against UK recognising a Palestinian state  AL-Monitor

Politics

3 w. ago Royal Albert Hall apologises after man refused entry over Palestine pin

Roger Cauthery, 81, said that he and his wife felt strongly that Palestine should be recognised as a state

Politics

3 w. ago Six killed and dozens wounded by Israeli army while collecting aid, says Gaza civil defence – Middle East crisis live

Israeli troops reported to have targeted civilians assembling near an aid point in central GazaThe US and UK have “disagreements” on Gaza including over whether to recognise a Palestinian state, JD Vance has suggested as he arrived in England for his summer holiday.The US vice-president was speaking before a bilateral meeting with David Lammy, the UK foreign secretary, at his 17th-century grace-and-favour country house, Chevening. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago ‘I don’t know what it would mean’: JD Vance hits out at Starmer’s plans to recognise Palestine

JD Vance also claimed he ‘loved’ the UK despite a number of outspoken attacks in recent months

Events

3 w. ago Vance says UK and US have ‘disagreements’ over Gaza, as he confirms Trump does not back Palestinian state recognition – as it happened

David Lammy is hosting the US vice-president at Chevening, his grace-and-favour residence in Kent, where they will discuss the Middle EastThe SNP is calling for the recall of parliament so that MPs can approve sanctions against Benjamin Netanyahu in the light of his decision to extend the occupation of Gaza. In a statement Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader at Westminster, said:A genocide is happening before our eyes in Gaza. Words of condemnation aren’t anywhere near enough - if we have any hope of stopping this genocide strong actions are desperately needed, now. That means Keir Starmer needs to recall Westminster and take concrete steps to sanction the Israeli government. Those sanctions must include ending all arms sales to the Israeli military, stopping all training, logistical and military support to the IDF, directly and personally sanctioning Netanyahu and his ministers and finally and immediately recognising the state of Palestine before it is brutally wiped off the map. If the ...

Politics

3 w. ago Vance: UK and US have disagreements over Gaza but share common goal

The vice-president confirmed Washington had ‘no plans’ to recognise Palestine, which Britain has pledged to do unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire.

Politics