The United Kingdom will officially recognize a Palestinian state this weekend, after U.S. President Donald Trump who opposes the decision has left the country at the end of his state visit, the Times reported.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned in July that he would take action if Israel did not ease suffering in Gaza and failed to reach a ceasefire in its nearly two-year war with Hamas.
Israel argues that recognizing a Palestinian state which France, Canada, and Australia have also said they will do this month would reward Hamas.
According to the Times, without citing its sources, Britain will make the announcement once Trump’s visit concludes on Thursday.
The UK Foreign Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In July, Trump, who is currently undertaking his second state visit to the UK, said he had no problem if Britain took such a step. However, since then, the U.S. has made clear its opposition to any such move by its European allies.
Starmer, who is under pressure from some members of his Labour Party to adopt a tougher stance against Israel, had said that Britain would recognize Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly next week if Israel failed to take meaningful steps to ease the situation in Gaza.
