UK Government to formally recognise the State of Palestine
This petition gathered 131,239 signatures between 13 May 2021 and 13 November 2021, according to the Parliament petitions site. The Government responded on 8 June 2021. MPs debated it in Westminster Hall on 14 June 2021.
The petition
The petition's creator is not named in the Petitions site's published record. Quoted in full from the UK Parliament petitions site.
UK Government to formally recognise the State of Palestine
Recognise the state of Palestine to help stop the conflict from Israel. Not recognising the Palestinian state allows Israel to continue their persecution of the Palestinians.
The Government's response
The Government published its response on 8 June 2021; the petitions site lists the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office as responsible. Its summary:
The UK will recognise a Palestinian state at a time when it best serves the objective of peace. We continue to encourage progress towards a negotiated two-state solution between the parties.
The opening 344 words of the 758-word response:
The UK’s longstanding position on the Middle East Peace Process is clear and longstanding: we support a negotiated two-state solution leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state; based on 1967 borders with agreed land swaps. With Jerusalem as the shared capital of both states, and a just, fair, agreed and realistic settlement for refugees. A two-state solution is the only way to protect Israel’s Jewish and democratic character and realise Palestinian national aspirations. Resuming meaningful bilateral negotiations, with international support, is the best way of reaching such an agreement.
The UK will recognise a Palestinian state at a time when it best serves the objective of peace. Bilateral recognition in itself cannot end the occupation. The UK Government continues to believe that without a negotiated peace agreement, the occupation and the problems that come with it will continue.
We are committed to the objective of a sovereign, prosperous Palestinian state, living side by side with a safe and secure Israel. That is why we are a leading donor in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) and why we have put such emphasis on strengthening Palestinian institutions and fostering private sector-led, sustainable economic growth in the West Bank.
Economic progress can never be a substitute for a political settlement, but it is vital in the interim that Palestinians see tangible improvements in their daily lives. Economic growth in the OPTs remains vital to give hope to the Palestinian people. For too long it has been stifled by Israeli restrictions. We call on the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Israel to resume dialogue on economic issues, to re-convene the Joint Economic Committee, and to address the financial and Covid crises together.
HM Government have strong relations with the PA. The PA has made important progress on state-building which has been recognised by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. That is why it is so important that the PA now returns to Gaza to ensure that good governance is extended throughout the territory which will become a Palestinian state.
Read the full response on the petitions site.
Where the signatures came from
Signatures came from 650 constituencies on the boundaries used until the 2024 general election. The largest number, 2,260, came from Poplar and Limehouse.
130,000 of the signatures were from the UK and 1,239 from elsewhere, by the location signers gave.
| Constituency | Signatures |
|---|---|
| Poplar and Limehouse | 2,260 |
| Ilford South | 2,145 |
| Bethnal Green and Bow | 2,118 |
| East Ham | 1,904 |
| Birmingham, Hodge Hill | 1,818 |
| Birmingham, Hall Green | 1,759 |
| Bradford West | 1,699 |
| West Ham | 1,508 |
| Blackburn | 1,428 |
| Slough | 1,381 |
| Region | Signatures |
|---|---|
| London | 41,666 |
| North West | 15,523 |
| West Midlands | 15,484 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 12,406 |
| South East | 12,342 |
| East of England | 8,215 |
| East Midlands | 7,279 |
| Scotland | 5,134 |
| South West | 3,495 |
| Wales | 2,996 |
| North East | 1,793 |
| Northern Ireland | 478 |
Debate in Parliament
MPs debated the petition in Westminster Hall on 14 June 2021. Read the debate in Hansard. House of Commons Library debate pack.
Source and receipt
- https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/585313.jsonUK Parliament Petitions API · read 2026-10-15 · SHA-256
17de85d4164c6950… - The petition on petition.parliament.uk
The petition's words are its creator's and the response is the Government's; this site quotes both and gives no view on either. Signature counts can still change while a petition is open. To report an error, send a correction request.