London Mayor Sadiq Khan Calls for Immediate Recognition of Palestinian State

London Mayor Sadiq Khan, a prominent Labour Party member, has issued an urgent call for the British government to recognize a Palestinian state and exert significant pressure on Israel to halt its military operations in Gaza. In a public letter, Khan condemned Israel’s actions, describing the situation in Gaza as a worsening humanitarian crisis.

“The scenes from Gaza are harrowing and grow more dire daily, with no end in sight,” Khan wrote. “Starving children search for food amid rubble, and their families are shot by Israeli soldiers while seeking aid.” He argued that these events demand immediate action from global governments, including the UK, to address the crisis.

Khan directly criticized the Israeli government, stating, “Nothing justifies the actions of the Israeli government. The international community, including our government, must do more to stop this senseless killing and ensure life-saving aid reaches those in need.”

He concluded with a firm demand: “The United Kingdom must immediately recognize a Palestinian state. A two-state solution is impossible without a viable Palestinian state to recognize.”

Khan’s remarks reflect the Labour Party’s left-leaning stance, which has faced criticism for anti-Israel sentiments, partly attributed to its reliance on votes from immigrant communities from Muslim-majority countries. The Labour government recently joined dozens of nations in calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict.