In response to the UK government’s announcement that it will recognise the State of Palestine in September unless Israel ‘takes steps’ over Gaza, Kristyan Benedict, Amnesty International UK’s Crisis Response Manager, said:

“The UK government’s statement, whilst being a shift in rhetoric, won’t stop the genocide alone. Robust and effective action is urgently needed, and today’s response fell short of that.

“This moment demands immediate, decisive action from countries like the UK to hold Israel accountable and impose concrete consequences for its ongoing violations. Impunity fuels the violence - without meaningful consequences and accountability, the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza will continue unchecked.

“Every second matters for Palestinians. As leaders stall with statements about what they might do in a month, children are being slaughtered and entire families erased. What the UK should be doing right now is sanctioning Israeli officials implicated in international crimes, halting all arms exports and military assistance, and ending all trade that contributes to the genocide, illegal occupation and system of apartheid against Palestinians.

“Israel’s illegal occupation must end - full stop. For decades, the occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip has entrenched a brutal system of apartheid and enabled relentless violations of international law and Palestinian rights. Ending this occupation is not only a legal and moral imperative, but also the only path to dismantling apartheid and achieving justice, freedom, and safety for Palestinians and Israelis alike.

“Any political solution must be grounded in human rights and international law. It must include lifting the blockade on Gaza, dismantling all illegal settlements, ending the apartheid system, guaranteeing equal rights for Palestinians and Israelis, upholding the right of return for Palestinian refugees, and delivering justice and full reparations to all victims of violence and oppression.”