PRIME MINISTER Sir Keir Starmer’s conditional recognition of the Palestinian statehood was dismissed as “gesture politics” that won’t stop Israel’s starvation of Gaza today.

MPs and pro-Palestine campaigners hit out at the Prime Minister’s failure to impose widespread sanctions, trade ban and a full arms embargo with the state following his announcement on Tuesday.

Sir Keir warned that Gaza needs at least 500 trucks of aid a day to reverse the unfolding starvation crisis but said that Britain may only take the step of recognising statehood in September, ahead of a major UN gathering.

It wouldn’t do so if Israel allows more aid into Gaza, stops annexing land in the West Bank, agrees to a ceasefire and signs up to a long-term peace process over the next two months, he added.

Former Labour MP Zarah Sultana said: “This is a PR stunt that lets Israel’s genocide continue.

“Meanwhile [Foreign Secretary] David Lammy won’t expel the Israeli ambassador, end all trade, implement a full arms embargo, stop surveillance flights or UK training of Israeli soldiers.

“Empty gestures fool no-one. He belongs in The Hague.”

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who co-founded a new left political party with Ms Sultana on Thursday, added: “Palestinian statehood is not a bargaining chip. 

“It is not a threat. It is an inalienable right of the Palestinian people.

“Our demands on this shameful government remain the same: end all arms sales to Israel, impose widespread sanctions, and stop the genocide, now.”

Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell also branded Sir Keir’s statement as “too little, too late and effectively handing Israel the decisive role in the recognition of a Palestinian state renders today’s emergency Cabinet meeting virtually pointless.”

Sir Keir had been coming under pressure from MPs to recognise statehood, and last week more than 250 cross-party members signed a letter calling on him to act.

But today Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander insisted Sir Keir’s decision is “about the Palestinian people.”

Asked by BBC Radio 4’s Today programme whether it is gesture politics and a case of Sir Keir changing his mind over an issue after pressure from his back benches, she said: “I’m sorry, that’s just not true.

“This is about the Palestinian people. It’s about getting aid in to those starving children.”

Asked directly whether the release of hostages by Hamas is an explicit condition of Palestinian recognition, Ms Alexander added: “We will be making an assessment in September and we expect Hamas to act in the same way as we expect Israel to act.

“We’re giving Israel eight weeks to act. If they want to be sat at the table to shape that enduring peace in the region, they must act.”

But Labour MP Andy McDonald said that the recognition of the Palestinian state “is the Palestinians’ inalienable right ... is already overdue and recognition should not be conditional on Israel continuing with its war crimes.”

Blasting Israel for creating famine conditions in Gaza, he called on ministers to act “decisively” and impose immediate sanctions on Israel, an immediate arms and trade embargo for its breaches of human rights.

Pro-Palestine protesters will protest outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court in central London on Thursday calling for charges to be dropped against Palestine march organisers Alex Kenny and Sophie Bolt.

The pair are due to appear in the court after being accused of public order offences in relation to a peaceful demonstration on January 18.

Palestine Solidarity Campaign director Ben Jamal and Stop the War’s Chris Nineham, who face trial for similar charges, also blasted Sir Keir’s announcement.

Mr Nineham said: “I thought Starmer couldn’t shock me. Came out of a meeting to this absolute madness.”

Mr Jamal added: “To call this inadequate doesn’t begin to convey how grotesque it is on so many levels.

“The Palestinian people have a right to self-determination which is not a bargaining chip to be used to put pressure on their oppressor to end their forced starvation.”

Earlier this month, 22 union general secretaries raised “deep concern about the erosion of the right to peaceful protest” in an open letter urging the Metropolitan Police to drop charges against the four march leaders.