After former hostage Emily Damari panned the UK’s plan to potentially recognize a Palestinian state in September if Israel does not reach a ceasefire with Hamas and improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Thursday that he “understands” what Damari endured — but that the issue of the hostages, to whose release the UK remains committed, won’t change Britain’s position.

The UK announced its intention on Wednesday to recognize Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly, should Israel fail to reach a ceasefire with Hamas and improve Gaza’s humanitarian situation. The announcement was a diplomatic blow to Israel as its government faces intensifying criticism over the war in Gaza.

“I’ve been absolutely clear and steadfast that we must have the remaining hostages released. That’s been our position throughout, and I absolutely understand the unimaginable horror that Emily went through,” Starmer told ITV West Country, noting that he had previously met with Damari, a dual British-Israeli citizen, and her mother.

“Alongside that, we do need to do everything we can to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where we are seeing the children and babies starving for want of aid which could be delivered,” he said.

“That is why I’ve said unless things materially change on the ground — we’ll have to assess this in September — we will recognize Palestine before the United Nations General Assembly in September,” Starmer added.

In a post on X addressed to Starmer following the UK’s announcement, Damari wrote, “As a dual British-Israeli citizen who survived 471 days in Hamas captivity, I am deeply saddened by your decision,” calling the move one that “risks rewarding terror” and teaches that “violence earns legitimacy.”

“This move does not advance peace — it risks rewarding terror. It sends a dangerous message: that violence earns legitimacy,” she said. “Recognition under these conditions emboldens extremists and undermines any hope for genuine peace. Shame on you.”

Earlier Thursday, UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told BBC Radio 4 that recognizing a Palestinian state does not entail granting Hamas diplomatic legitimacy.

“Our requests that all hostages must be released and that Hamas can play no future role in the governance of Gaza or a Palestinian state are long-standing,” he told reporters. “We don’t negotiate with terrorists and Hamas are terrorists.”

Starmer had joined France in its commitment to recognize a Palestinian state this fall at the UN General Assembly, in a bid to resuscitate the two-state solution, viewed as increasingly unviable in recent years.

Canada came out with a similar statement on Wednesday, announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney. Portugal said Thursday that it is “considering” recognition of a Palestinian state, but declined to give a definitive answer one way or the other.