BRITAIN was urged to take immediate action to prevent Israeli atrocities in Gaza after recognising Palestinian statehood yesterday.

The TUC called for further international pressure to end the Israeli government’s genocide, with a newly appointed minister breaking ranks with the government by using the term to describe his Israeli counterparts today.

PM Sir Keir Starmer confirmed that Britain has recognised a Palestinian state “to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis.”

With the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsening and Israel pushing ahead with settlements in the West Bank, he said that the “moment has now arrived” to recognise a Palestinian state, adding “the hope of a two-state solution is fading” but “we cannot let that light go out.”

Sir Keir also called Hamas a “brutal terror organisation” and confirmed plans to ratchet up sanctions on the group, saying: “Our call for a genuine two-state solution is the exact opposite of their hateful vision.”

The recognition is provisional on borders based on the 1967 lines, before Israel occupied the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. 

The move could pave the way for full diplomatic relations with the Palestinian state, with the issue likely to dominate the UN general assembly gathering of world leaders this week. France is expected to formally recognise Palestine today.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “Recognition of the Palestinian state is a crucial first step on the path to peace with a two-state solution at its heart.

“Israel must now end its assault on Gaza and commit to a political process to reach a just and lasting peace.   

“This will not happen without further international pressure. In recognising Palestine, the UK government has taken an important and welcome step — but there is more still to do. 

“Just last week, a UN commission of inquiry concluded that the Israeli government is committing genocide in Gaza. None of us can turn a blind eye to these atrocities happening in plain sight. 

“That’s why the UK government should immediately suspend our trade deal with Israel, end all licences for arms traded with Israel in line with international law, and put sanctions on Israeli politicians who have incited war crimes.” 

Amnesty’s crisis response manager Kristyan Benedict said: “Recognition is no doubt significant, but will be a hollow gesture if the UK does not also seek to end Israel’s genocide, illegal occupation and system of apartheid against the Palestinian people. 

“Words alone won't stop the atrocities.”

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney and Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth urged the government to impose more sanctions on Israel.

Palestinian ambassador to Britain, Husam Zomlot, said that the “long-overdue recognition” must be followed by action.

It marks “Britain’s fulfilment of a solemn responsibility” and “irreversible step towards justice, peace, and the correction of historic wrongs, including Britain’s colonial legacy, the Balfour Declaration, and its role in the dispossession of the Palestinian people,” he added.

MP for Glasgow South West Dr Zubir Ahmed has meanwhile broken ranks with the government by saying that some Israeli ministers have “genocidal intent” in Gaza.

Days before he was appointed as a health minister following Angela Rayner’s resignation, the well-respected surgeon told Holyrood magazine that Israel’s onslaught “has gone into places that are unconscionable, horrendous … things I thought I would never see in a so-called Western democracy.

“We have members of that government who certainly have genocidal intent — members of that government indicted by the International Criminal Court. It’s an unprecedented diplomatic position to be in.”

A UN commission this week said that it had reasonable grounds to conclude Israel is committing a genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza.

Deputy PM David Lammy yesterday raised hopes for a government U-turn allowing Palestinian scholars to bring their children to Britain.

He referred to concerns raised by the Refugee Council and the University of Oxford over the decision to block a 34-strong group of Palestinian students, including Chevening scholars, from bringing about 20 children to Britain.

The government’s “intent is to bring people to study and not to cause them further pain or hardship,” he told the BBC.