Sir Keir Starmer is "rewarding Hamas" by vowing to recognise Palestine in September unless Benjamin Netanyahu makes peace in the Middle East, Israel's Foreign Ministry has claimed.
The Prime Minister's ultimatum was delivered to Israel shortly after an emergency Cabinet meeting was convened earlier this afternoon.
Starmer is now urging Israel to agree to a ceasefire, allow the United Nations to restart the supply of aid, make clear that there will be no annexations in the West Bank and commit to a long-term sustainable peace plan based on a two-state solution.
The Prime Minister's announcement has followed months of pressure being heaped on No10 from Starmer's his own Cabinet colleagues, Labour MPs and weekly pro-Palestine protests.
Responding to Starmer's announcement, Israel's Foreign Ministry said: “Israel rejects the statement by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
“The shift in the British Government’s position at this time, following the French move and internal political pressures, constitutes a reward for Hamas and harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of hostages.”
Israel's Foreign Ministry similarly condemned French President Emmanuel Macron after Paris last week made a similar commitment to recognise Palestine.
Starmer confirmed the UK's decision to set out a plan to recognise Palestine earlier this evening.
In an address to the nation, Sir Keir said: “I’ve always said that we will recognise a Palestinian state as a contribution to a proper peace process at the moment of maximum impact for the two-state solution.
"With that solution now under threat, this is the moment to act.”
The Prime Minister added: “Meanwhile our message to the terrorists of Hamas is unchanged and unequivocal.
"They must immediately release all of the hostages, sign up to a ceasefire, disarm and accept that they will play no part in the government of Gaza.”
Speaking at a UN summit on a two-state solution in New York, Foreign Secretary David Lammy added: There is no better vision for the future of the region than two states.
"Israelis living within secure borders, recognised and at peace with their neighbours, free from the threat of terrorism, and Palestinians living in their own state in dignity and security, free of occupation.
“The decades-long conflict between Israelis and Palestinians cannot be managed or contained. It must now be resolved. Britain is ready to play its full and historic part.”
Despite Starmer's stance being seen as a pivot to the left, Your Party co-leader Jeremy Corbyn said that recognition is an “inalienable right” of the Palestinian people and should not be used as a “threat”.
He added: "Our demands on this shameful Government remain the same: end all arms sales to Israel, impose widespread sanctions, and stop the genocide, now.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey echoed Corbyn's concerns.
He said: "Rather than use recognition, which should have taken place months ago, as a bargaining chip, the Prime Minister should be applying pressure on Israel by fully ceasing arms sales, and implementing sanctions against the Israeli Cabinet.
Meanwhile, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch appeared to share Israel's concerns about Starmer rewarding Hamas.
She said: "When the country is looking for answers on asylum hotels, the cost of living is getting worse, and doctors are threatening to go on strike again, further endangering lives, it’s disgraceful that Keir Starmer recalled his Cabinet to try and sort out a political problem for the Labour Party.
“Recognising a Palestinian state won’t bring the hostages home, won’t end the war and won’t get aid into Gaza. This is political posturing at its very worst.”
A Reform UK spokesman added: “Recognising Palestine as a state does little more than reward Hamas for their actions on October 7.
“This decision is being made at the wrong time and is a knee-jerk reaction by Keir Starmer to appease the hard left forces inside and outside of his party.”