London, (Shahzad Ali) __ Councillor Asif Khan has welcomed the UK Government’s historic decision to formally recognise the State of Palestine, calling it “an important and long overdue step that acknowledges the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and statehood.”

Councillor Khan said recognition “keeps alive the hope of peace and the possibility of a two-state solution,” but warned that it must not be treated as symbolic while atrocities continue.

This week, a United Nations Commission of Inquiry concluded that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, finding that four of the five acts defined under the Genocide Convention have been carried out. These include mass killings, causing serious bodily and mental harm, deliberately inflicting life-destroying conditions, and preventing births.

The humanitarian situation remains catastrophic. The UN has described Gaza City as “nothing short of cataclysmic.” More than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, over 90% of homes are damaged or destroyed, hospitals are collapsing, famine has been confirmed, and women are being forced to give birth in the streets without doctors or clean water. Families are fleeing on foot, with nothing but mattresses and plastic bags, in search of shelter that does not exist.

Councillor Khan said:

“Recognition of Palestine is welcome, but history will judge us by what we do next. The genocide in Gaza cannot be ignored. The West Bank is being annexed before our eyes. Palestinians deserve not only the right to exist but the right to live in dignity, safety, and freedom. I will continue to be a strong and unwavering voice against this bloodshed, and I urge the UK Government and the international community to match recognition with decisive action.”

He added that this must include the immediate suspension of all UK arms sales to Israel, stronger sanctions on those responsible for illegal settlements and annexation, guarantees of unhindered humanitarian access so that food, medicine and aid reach those in desperate need, and full accountability through international courts and mechanisms to investigate and prosecute genocide and war crimes.