Labour MPs Urge UK to Recognise Palestinian State Amid Rafah Crisis

Nearly 60 British Labour MPs have called on the UK government to immediately recognise the State of Palestine and urgently intervene to prevent Israel’s plan to forcibly transfer Gaza’s population to a camp in Rafah, which critics label ethnic cleansing and a crime against humanity. The MPs’ letter, organised by Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East, demands five key actions, including recognition of Palestine, amid mounting international pressure and controversial Israeli government announcements.

Controversial Israeli Plan for Rafah

As reported by The Guardian’s coverage cited by Arab News, the Israeli Defence Minister Yisrael Katz announced a plan on Monday to forcibly relocate all Palestinian civilians in Gaza to a fenced-off “humanitarian city” built on the ruins of Rafah in southern Gaza. The plan involves moving approximately 600,000 Palestinians to a camp in a devastated area, restricting their movement through strict security screening. It is seen by critics as a precursor to deportation outside the Gaza Strip.

Labour MPs described this plan as “an operational plan for crimes against humanity,” quoting Israeli human rights lawyer Michael Sfard, who called it “population transfer to the southern tip of Gaza in preparation for deportation outside the strip”. The MPs unequivocally labelled the plan as ethnic cleansing of Gaza.

Who Are the Labour MPs Calling for Immediate Recognition of Palestine?

According to multiple sources, including The Guardian and The New Arab, the letter was signed by 59 Labour MPs spanning both centrist and left-wing factions, organised by Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East. Key signatories include co-chairs Sarah Owen and Andrew Pakes, Liam Byrne (chair of the Business and Trade Select Committee), Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Stella Creasy, Clive Lewis, Diane Abbott, and Dawn Butler.

This is the second letter from Labour MPs in recent weeks demanding immediate recognition of Palestine, but the first time signatories have publicly revealed their names.

Five Key Demands Made by the MPs

The MPs outlined five urgent demands to Foreign Secretary David Lammy and the UK government:

1. Immediate recognition of the State of Palestine as a sovereign entity.
2. Continued funding and support for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees.
3. Diplomatic efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas since the October 2023 attacks.
4. Pressing for the full and unhindered resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
5. Conducting a full review and imposing restrictions on trade with and financial support for illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

The MPs warned that failure to recognise Palestine undermines the UK’s stated policy of a two-state solution and tacitly allows the “effective erasure and annexation of Palestinian territory”.

How Has the UK Government Responded to These Calls?

The UK government, as per a Foreign Office spokesperson cited by Arab News and The Guardian, reiterated its position of supporting recognition of Palestine “at the point of maximum impact” within a broader peace process coordinated with international allies. The government continues to fund UNRWA and pursue diplomatic channels to secure hostage releases, but has not committed to immediate recognition.

This cautious stance contrasts with the MPs’ urgent demands and reflects ongoing diplomatic calculations.

International Context and Pressure on the UK

The MPs’ intervention comes amid increasing international pressure. French President Emmanuel Macron, during his state visit to the UK, called for an unconditional ceasefire in Gaza and urged European nations to recognise Palestine to create political momentum toward peace. Macron stated, “Calling today for a ceasefire in Gaza without any condition is telling the rest of the world that for us as Europeans, there is no double standard” and emphasised the need to “recognise the state of Palestine” as “the only path to peace”.

Several European countries have already recognised Palestine, and France has increased pressure on the UK and other allies to follow suit.

Why Do MPs Describe the Rafah Plan as Ethnic Cleansing?

The MPs, echoing Israeli human rights lawyer Michael Sfard, argue that forcibly transferring the entire population of Gaza to a confined area without freedom of movement amounts to ethnic cleansing. They stress that the plan’s objective appears to be the permanent removal of Palestinians from Gaza, violating international humanitarian law.

The letter states: “The defence minister’s plans have been described... as ‘an operational plan for crimes against humanity.’ Though an accurate description, we believe there is a clearer one. The ethnic cleansing of Gaza”.

Potential Political Implications for the UK

This parliamentary push could influence UK foreign policy and Labour Party dynamics. The MPs’ public stance signals a growing faction within Labour advocating a more assertive and principled approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

It also challenges the government’s measured diplomacy, potentially pushing the UK towards formal recognition of Palestine and stronger measures against Israeli settlements.

What Do Experts Say About International Law and Gaza’s Protection?

In a related opinion piece by Raja Shehadeh, it is argued that international law has historically failed to protect Gaza’s population effectively, despite numerous UN resolutions and humanitarian principles. The Israeli plan for Rafah exemplifies how legal protections are often insufficient against political and military realities.

Shehadeh’s analysis highlights the gap between legal norms and enforcement, underscoring the urgency of political action such as recognising Palestinian statehood to bolster rights and protections [Opinion context].

Next Steps for Labour MPs and the Campaign

Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East, along with the signatory MPs, plan to continue lobbying within Parliament and through public campaigns to increase pressure on the UK government. Their goal is to shift UK policy toward immediate recognition of Palestine and stronger diplomatic action to prevent forced displacement in Gaza.

This campaign aligns with broader international efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through recognition and humanitarian support.

The call from nearly 60 Labour MPs for the UK to immediately recognise the State of Palestine and intervene against Israel’s Rafah plan marks a significant moment in British politics and international diplomacy. It highlights urgent humanitarian concerns, legal debates, and the complexities of UK foreign policy amid escalating conflict in Gaza.

How the UK government responds to these demands will have profound implications for peace prospects, international law, and the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.