The UK Government should not unilaterally recognise a Palestinian State
We urge the UK not to unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state before a negotiated peace. We believe the UK should support direct talks, conditioned on Hamas releasing hostages, disarming, & leaving Gaza; & the PA ending ‘Pay to Slay’, removing extremist content from schools, & recognising Israel.
Signatures
59,098
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 10,000/10,000 · reached
Debate threshold (100,000) · 59,098/100,000
- 12 MAR 2026Petition closedFinal total: 59,098 signatures
- 16 OCT 2025Government respondedForeign, Commonwealth & Development OfficeGovernment reply
Our recognition of Palestinian statehood, done as part of a wider global drive for peace, is helping to deliver the opposite of the petition’s concerns, showing why it was the right decision to make.
Read full response - 14 SEPT 202510,000 signatures reachedEligible for a government response
- 12 SEPT 2025Petition opened for signatures
Background
We believe unilateral recognition rewards terrorism, betrays the hostages including those with UK ties, and damages peace efforts. We consider that lasting peace must come through direct negotiation, not unilaterally imposed statehood. We think the UK must insist on essential reforms before talks can proceed: Hamas disarmament, PA ending payments to convicted terrorists, and removing violent and racist incitement from the school curriculum. The Palestinian leadership must also recognise Israel’s right to exist for talks to succeed.