The terrorist organization Hamas, which led the attacks against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, declared the United Kingdom’s decision on Sunday to recognize Palestinian statehood was a “victory” and “justice” for their cause. They also said it sent a “clear message” to Israel.
“These developments represent a victory for Palestinian rights and the justice of our cause, and send a clear message: no matter how far the occupation goes in its crimes, it will never be able to erase our national rights,” said Mahmud Mardawi, a senior Hamas official.
The victory declaration and decision by the U.K. came shortly before the second anniversary of Hamas’ deadly attack. Canada and Australia have also formally announced they would recognize a Palestinian state.
In addition to their victory declaration, Hamas said the recognition by the U.K., Canada, and Australia must feature “practical measures.” This would include the conclusion of “the genocidal war being waged against our people in the Gaza Strip and confronting the ongoing annexation and judaisation projects in the West Bank and Jerusalem,” Hamas said in a statement.
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced earlier on Sunday that his country would recognize a Palestinian state. He categorized it as a necessary step to maintain the “possibility of peace.”
“In the face of the growing horror in the Middle East, we are acting to keep alive the possibility of peace and a two-state solution,” said Starmer. “That means a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state. At the moment, we have neither.”
“With the actions of Hamas, the Israeli government escalating the conflict, and settlement building being accelerated in the West Bank, the hope of a two-state solution is fading, but we cannot let that light go out,” said Starmer.
Starmer’s decision drew criticism from Israel and the U.S. President Donald Trump said it was a mistake to recognize a Palestinian state and that it was “rewarding Hamas.”
“I don’t think they should be rewarded,” Trump said Sunday night. “I am not in that camp, to be honest.”
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Starmer rejected the idea that he was rewarding Hamas and called them a “brutal terrorist organization.” He emphasized that they could have “no role in government.”
“We are clear this solution is not a reward for Hamas, because it means Hamas can have no future, no role in government, no role in security,” said the British prime minister.