Former MI6 chief Richard Dearlove has lamented the British Government’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state.
Speaking on GB News, Mr Dearlove said Labour is “suffering a severe bout of Palestinianism”.
Mr Dearlove tore into Sir Keir Starmer on GB News
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GB NEWS / PA
He fears the “ridiculous diplomatic decision” will enflame community tensions and threaten damaging consequences for Jews living in Britain.
“It’s ridiculous”, he said. “It’s about party management. It’s a ridiculous decision to take diplomatically.
“It makes it look as if Hamas has a success and I am really ashamed the UK has taken this step.
“I think it’s terrible for the Jewish community in the UK as well.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is poised to declare formal recognition of Palestine in a move that would constitute a significant shift in Britain’s Middle East policy.
The announcement, expected Sunday afternoon, would position Britain among nations that have already extended diplomatic recognition to Palestine as a sovereign entity.
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This development follows months of diplomatic tensions after the Prime Minister established specific requirements for Israel in June, which have reportedly gone unmet.
The decision signals a significant recalibration of Britain’s approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog told GB News earlier this month the recognition of a Palestinian state would reward Hamas terror
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GB NEWSThe Prime Minister had previously outlined specific demands to Israeli leadership in June, conditioning Britain’s diplomatic stance on concrete actions toward resolving the Gaza crisis.
These requirements encompassed an immediate cessation of hostilities, provisions for United Nations humanitarian assistance to reach Gaza, and guarantees against territorial expansion in the West Bank.
Additionally, Sir Keir had insisted on Israeli commitment to establishing a durable peace framework that would enable a two-state resolution.
The British Government’s position hardened after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration dismissed these stipulations outright.
Mr Dearlove joined Camilla Tominey on GB News
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GB NEWS
The rejection of these terms, particularly regarding humanitarian access and settlement activity, appears to have precipitated today’s expected policy reversal.
Sources indicate the Prime Minister concluded that circumstances have worsened since his summer ultimatum, necessitating unilateral British action.
Israeli officials mounted a blistering counterattack against the anticipated policy change, characterising it as capitulation to terrorist tactics and abandonment of terror victims.
The Netanyahu Government condemned Sir Keir’s position as “rewarding Hamas’s monstrous terrorism and punishing its victims,” according to statements reported in British media.
Relatives of captives held in Gaza expressed profound dismay at the diplomatic shift. Ilay David, whose brother Evyatar appeared severely malnourished in recent footage, delivered a stark assessment of the recognition plan.
“It is OK, you can keep starving the hostages, you can keep using them as human shields,” David said, characterising the message Britain would send to Hamas through recognition.
Opposition voices within Britain have also emerged, with Conservative politicians joining the chorus of criticism against the government’s diplomatic pivot.
The Prime Minister’s statement will reportedly include stringent new measures targeting Hamas, demanding the organisation relinquish its weapons and withdraw from governance roles within Palestinian territories.
British officials have expressed mounting alarm over accelerated Israeli settlement construction in occupied territories, viewing this expansion as potentially fatal to prospects for Palestinian sovereignty.
The government considers these settlement activities a direct threat to the viability of any future negotiated settlement between Israelis and Palestinians.
Despite facing pressure from Washington and advocacy groups representing hostages’ interests, Downing Street appears determined to proceed with the recognition announcement.
The dual approach of extending diplomatic recognition whilst simultaneously imposing restrictions on Hamas reflects Britain’s attempt to balance support for Palestinian aspirations with security concerns.
