Boris Johnson Criticizes UK Leadership’s Stance on Palestine
On Friday, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed strong disapproval of current British leaders considering the recognition of a Palestinian state amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, labeling the approach as “outrageous.”
Johnson indicated that Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s commitment—largely influenced by France—seems to be more about catching voters’ attention than genuinely advocating for a ceasefire.
“This isn’t really about promoting peace in the Middle East or making headway toward a two-state solution,” he noted during an appearance on NewsNation. “It’s more about the internal strife within the Labour Party, bouncing between a state of indecision and one of alarm regarding their own members’ reactions,” he told host Leland Vittert.
He further criticized the Labour Party, the country’s ruling party, for fearing a backlash from the Muslim community, arguing that their actions don’t actually support Palestinian welfare but rather serve party interests.
Johnson, who stepped down from his role in 2022 amid scandal and previously oversaw Britain’s exit from the EU, also took aim at the broader drive to acknowledge Palestine as a sovereign state.
“Unless you have clearly defined borders, it’s not true recognition, and right now, it’s evident that Palestine lacks this. A governing body that can control those borders is necessary, but part of the proposed Palestinian governance involves Hamas, a group he referred to as a ‘mentally ill Islamic fascist terrorist organization,'” he asserted.
He characterized the notion of a Palestinian state as “a great reward” without substantial accomplishments to back it up.
As humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip worsen, recent weeks have seen an uptick in discussion regarding solutions for the two-state scenario. Reports from the United Nations and other organizations highlight increasing food shortages and obstacles to community aid.
In contrast, the Israeli government has dismissed these claims, arguing that Hamas is leveraging aggressive dialogue to embarrass leadership. Nonetheless, various countries are stepping up, offering air drops and other support for those most affected, as violence has persisted for nearly two years following the initial attack on October 7, 2023.
Meanwhile, some Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Representative Ro Khanna, are urging a return to the approaches of the Trump administration as peace talks remain stalled. The U.S. government still does not support recognizing Palestine as a state, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The administration has also scaled back its support efforts in the Middle East, including the closure of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and withdrawal from the UN Food Program.
