UK recognises state of Palestine to ‘keep alive’ the possibility of peace

Keir Starmer says announcement shows government's hopes for a secure Israel alongside a viable Palestine

• Netanyahu says recognition is a prize for terrorism

The UK has formally recognised Palestine as an independent state, Keir Starmer has said, in a deeply symbolic announcement that the government hopes will show its commitment to peace in the region and ease domestic political tensions.

In a sign of the global concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Canada and Australia also made their own formal declarations recognising Palestine on Sunday ahead of a conference of the UN general assembly in New York.