Let’s get this straight. If Hamas releases its hostages, as part of a Gaza ceasefire deal agreed with Israel, the British government will not recognise Palestine as a state, However, if Hamas refuses to free the hostages, ensuring Israel will not sign a ceasefire deal, the British government will recognise Palestine as a state.
The first scenario is unlikely but let’s say it happens: If Prime Minister Starmer stands by his grandiose words of this week – that he’s always supported a Palestinian state and that, because we have arrived at the moment of maximum impact, “This is the moment to act” – he then has to clear his throat and say: “Actually maybe this is not the moment to act”.