Christians have responded to the government’s decision to recognise Palestinian statehood with calls for prayer and peace.
The decision has been welcomed by four Church of England Bishops, including the lead Bishop for the Holy Land, Christopher Chessun.
Along with the Bishops of Glouster, Chelmsford and Norwich, Rt Rev Chessun described the move as “much needed”.
“We welcome the decision of His Majesty's Government to recognise Palestinian Statehood - one that many bishops have advocated for over 10 years,” the Bishops said.
“We hold that it is the reasonable aspiration of all peoples to belong to a state and enjoy the merits of full and active citizenship on their own lands… This decision now provides much needed parity of esteem and equal status for both [Israeli and Palestinian] peoples.”
In June, the Archbishop of York, Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell, co-signed a statement with the same four bishops, calling the recognition of Palestinian statehood “welcome, overdue, and cannot come soon enough".
“As settlement expansion continues in the West Bank, the UK must recognise Palestine while there is still land on which a state could be recognised,” the statement continued.
The church leaders insist that recognising Palestine does not cave to the demands of Hamas, who said recognition was a “fruit” of the October 7th attacks.
“Recognising Palestinian statehood does not reward terrorism,” the Bishops said. “Rather, it undercuts extremist narratives and strengthens moderates. It gives the Palestinian Authority the legitimacy and pressure it needs to govern responsibly [and live] in peace and security, side by side with Israel.”
Starmer’s decision to recognise Palestine after Donald Trump’s state visit, but before the UN General Assembly – in which other nations, such as Luxembourg, Andorra, France and Malta had already pledged to do the same – has been criticised by some as sitting on the fence.
“This is not a principled move from Starmer,” said Nick Megoran, a Professor of Political Geography and former Baptist minister. “It's more a response to internal criticism in the Labour Party.”
“It’s representative of the way Keir Starmer does policy; very cautious. Doesn't move until he's pushed.”
Megoran told Premier Christian Radio there is a “symbolic” significance to it, which he – like the bishops – hopes will lead to a two-state solution.
“As Christians, as Paul says in Philippians, our citizenship is in heaven… the whole world is the universal church," he said.
“We should be praying for our Christian brothers and sisters in Palestine, Israel, and across the world, for a peaceful solution so both sides can live without fear of attack from their neighbours.”
The UK's minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer, has said that “a two-state solution is under peril like never before".
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is in New York for the UN General Assembly, where Palestinian statehood is set to dominate discussion.