Keir Starmer faces pushback after announcing UK will recognise state of Palestine unless Gaza crisis ends – UK politics live

Benjamin Netanyahu strongly criticized the possibility of recognizing Palestinian statehood in September, labeling it a reward for Hamas's terrorism. Health secretary Wes Streeting indicated that discussions with the British Medical Association might improve resident doctors' working conditions, but ruled out further pay increases. This follows a five-day strike by junior doctors in England. Streeting acknowledged the disruption caused by industrial action, expressing frustration for patients who experienced canceled services. He asserted that the Labour Party is not irrelevant, pointing to Netanyahu's strong negative reaction as evidence of their impact. Streeting described Netanyahu's statement as furious rather than considered or diplomatic. He emphasized that while the UK remains a long-term ally of Israel, this alliance does not extend to the current far-right Israeli government or its behavior.