Israel Urged UK to Delay Palestine State Recognition Over Hostages
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS Arabic by baba
Israel urged Britain to delay recognizing a Palestinian state until hostages were freed, fearing it would jeopardize negotiations and the captives' lives, according to the Wall Street Journal. Despite Israeli pleas, then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer proceeded with his plan. The remaining hostages were later released under a ceasefire agreement brokered by Donald Trump, though their fate was uncertain when the decision was made.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel asked Britain to delay recognizing a Palestinian state until hostages were released.
- Israel argued recognition could harm remaining hostages and endanger their lives.
- Then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer proceeded with recognition plans despite Israeli warnings.
- The remaining hostages were released 22 days later under a ceasefire deal.
- The fate of the hostages was uncertain when the recognition decision was made.
Israel pleaded with Britain to postpone recognition of a Palestinian state until hostages were released, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday. According to the report, the Israeli government urgently pressed London, behind the scenes of hostage release negotiations, not to proceed with unconditional recognition of a Palestinian state. Israel argued that such recognition could hinder sensitive negotiations and seal the fate of those still held captive, potentially preventing their return.
An Israeli government official told the Wall Street Journal, "During the hostage negotiations, Israel begged Britain not to recognize a Palestinian state unconditionally, because it could harm the remaining hostages and endanger their lives." Despite these warnings, then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer proceeded with his plan.
Twenty-two days later, the remaining hostages were released under a ceasefire agreement brokered by Donald Trump. However, at the time of the British Prime Minister's decision, the fate of the hostages remained uncertain, and neither he nor the anxiously awaiting families knew if they would ever return home.
