UK reiterates commitment to recognize Palestinian state

UK foreign secretary David Lammy reiterated the UK's government's commitment to move to "full recognition" of a Palestinian state at the next UN General Assembly later this month.

"To those who say recognition rewards Hamas or threatens Israeli security – it does neither. Recognition is rooted in the principle of a two-state solution which Hamas rejects. We have been clear that any Palestinian state should be demilitarised," David Lammy said.

Addressing the House of Commons, he added that Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has confirmed this in writing.

"We see no contradiction between the two-state solution and our deep commitment to Israeli security. Because security comes from stable borders, not indefinite occupation," David Lammy said.