Starmer ‘listening to hostages’ but intends to stick to Palestine statehood plan

Freed British-Israeli accuses PM of moral failure' over move to recognise Palestine at UN unless Israel changes course

Keir Starmer has said he is listening to hostages taken by Hamas but still intends to recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel commits to a ceasefire and two-state solution.

The prime minister said he had spoken to the freed British-Israeli Emily Damari, held hostage by Hamas for 471 days, after she accused him of moral failure" over the move to recognise Palestine as a state in September at the UN.