UK to Recognize Palestinian State if Israel Fails to Agree to Gaza Ceasefire; EPA Proposes Reversing Pollution Limits
London, July 30, 2025 – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday that the United Kingdom will recognize a Palestinian state by September unless Israel takes significant steps to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, agrees to a ceasefire, and commits to a long-term peace process, including halting annexation plans in the West Bank. This move follows a similar pledge by France, marking a significant shift in Western diplomatic approaches to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Starmer’s statement, delivered at 10 Downing Street, emphasized the urgency of action amid escalating starvation and devastation in Gaza, where a United Nations-backed report warned of an unfolding famine. “The appalling situation in Gaza demands immediate action,” Starmer said, reiterating his support for a two-state solution. He clarified that recognizing a Palestinian state does not equate to endorsing Hamas, which he condemned as a terrorist organization responsible for the October 7, 2023, attacks. Starmer demanded that Hamas release hostages, agree to a ceasefire, disarm, and relinquish control of Gaza’s governance.
The Israeli government swiftly criticized the UK’s announcement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a “reward for Hamas’s monstrous terrorism,” warning that a Palestinian state “will threaten Britain tomorrow.” Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa welcomed the move, aligning with Palestinian aspirations for a state encompassing the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem.
NPR’s Aya Batrawy noted that while recognition by the UK and France carries symbolic weight, it is unlikely to alter conditions on the ground in Gaza, where hunger-related deaths have spiked, and markets are bare, with essentials like two pounds of apples costing $180 due to an Israeli blockade.
The announcement comes amid domestic pressure on Starmer, with over 250 cross-party MPs and 49% of the UK public supporting Palestinian statehood, according to a Survation poll. France’s recent commitment to recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September, coupled with diplomatic efforts by Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations, has spurred momentum for broader European recognition.
EPA Proposes Reversing Greenhouse Gas Regulations
In a separate development, the Trump administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced plans to overturn a 2009 finding that greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, endanger public health. This finding underpinned regulations on vehicle emissions, power plants, and electric vehicle (EV) mandates. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin described the proposal as a “dagger into the heart of the climate change religion,” arguing the EPA lacks authority to regulate greenhouse gases.
NPR’s Camila Domonoske reported that the decision, partly based on a report by five scientists rejecting the climate change consensus, is a victory for automakers who claimed existing rules were unachievable. While automakers may reduce EV production, consumer demand for fuel-efficient vehicles is likely to sustain some EV development. However, Domonoske highlighted the setback for climate efforts, noting transportation as the largest source of US greenhouse gas emissions. Health advocates warn of worsening air quality, which could harm public health.
The proposal faces potential legal challenges, with experts like Michael Buschbacher cautioning it could become a “regulatory Vietnam” if not executed carefully. The move aligns with broader Trump administration efforts to dismantle Obama-era climate policies.
Both developments reflect significant policy shifts with global implications, from Middle East diplomacy to environmental regulation, as reported by NPR and other outlets.