Caabu Press Release: UK Recognition of a Palestinian state will mean nothing if genocide is not stopped
21 September 2025
Caabu welcomes the decision of the British government to recognise the state of Palestine. This acknowledges the Palestinian right to statehood and self-determination. A recognition from Britain is particularly symbolic given it was the author of the Balfour Declaration, the former mandatory power and has historically failed in its obligations to the Palestinian people.
This is long overdue, a decision that could and should have been made years ago. It would have real meaning and impact if it had taken place before the genocide in Gaza and its wholesale destruction, as well as the systematic surge in illegal Israeli settlement activity.
Recognition will not stop or even slow Israel’s genocide in the state of Palestine. The British government and its allies have to impose effective sanctions on the state of Israel to demonstrate that there will be a significant cost to Israel’s criminal actions. This must include an end to all arms trade and military cooperation.
To give meaning to the recognition, the British government must finally impose a full ban on all trade and business with illegal Israeli settlements and all entities that sustain Israel’s illegal occupation of the state of Palestine.
The government should not just publish its long overdue response to the July 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice but bring itself into line with that ruling. This must include declaring that Israel’s occupation is unlawful, that it must end and reparations are paid to the Palestinians.
Commenting on the recognition, Caabu Director Chris Doyle stated: “Many Palestinians would have liked to celebrate this symbolic moment but they cannot. The reality is that recognition will not end the bombing, the famine, the genocide nor the system of apartheid that Palestinians are enduring. It will not feed starving babies. Above all it will not stop an Israeli government that is a dangerous rogue state that treats Palestinian life and international law with utter contempt.”
Ends...
Notes to editors:
- For more information or interviews contact Chris Doyle on +44 (0)7968 040281
- See also Chris Doyle's article in Middle East Eye from July - Palestinian statehood is a right, not a diplomatic pawn
