Gaza hostage families oppose the United Kingdom, in France, Palestinian state plans

The families of hostages held in Gaza, as well as a liberated captive, explode Great Britain, France and other nations for having decided to recognize a Palestinian state, warning that these stages reward the terrorists of Hamas while dozens of hostages remain trapped underground.

The backlash intervened after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday that his government will officially recognize a Palestinian state in the United Nations General Assembly in September, unless Israel accepts a cease-fire, authorizes the UN and engages in a two-state solution.

Emily Damari, a double British-Israeli citizen who survived the captivity of Hamas, Posted on X“As a double British-Israeli citizen who survived 471 days in captivity of Hamas, I am deeply saddened by your decision Keir Starmer to recognize the Palestinian state. This decision does not make peace progress – this is likely to reward terrorism. It sends a dangerous message: this violence reports legitimacy.

Starmer says that the United Kingdom recognizes the Palestinian state if Israel has not accepted a ceasefire, Hamas must “disarm”

Emily Damari, right, and his mother Mandy are seen near Kibbutz Reim, in southern Israel after Emily’s release from captivity by Hamas terrorists in Gaza on Sunday, January 19. (AP / Israeli army)

“By legitimizing a state entity while Hamas still controls Gaza and continues its campaign of terror, you are not promoting a solution; you extend the conflict. Recognition under these conditions encourages extremists and sakes all hope of authentic peace. Shame,” wrote Damari.

The removal forum and missing families, representing parents of people still held in Gaza, also criticized the announcements.

“Recently, we have noted an increase in initiatives calling for unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state – while 50 hostages were selected captive by Hamas for 663 days. Recognizing a Palestinian state while 50 hostages remain trapped in Hamas tunnels to reward terrorism. Such recognition is not a stage towards peace, but rather a violation of international law and A crisis in international law and a dangerous crisis and a legitimate crisis.

The terrorists of Hamas arise while the Palestinians meet in a street to look at the transfer of three Israeli hostages to a team from the Red Cross in Deir El-Balah, Central Gaza, February 8, 2025 (Majdi Fathi / Nurphoto via Getty Images)

“The kidnapping of men, women and children, who are detained against their will in tunnels while being subject to famine and physical and psychological abuses, cannot and must not serve as a basis for establishing a state. If the international community really wants peace, it must join American efforts by demanding first the release of all hostages, followed by an end of the fighting.”

From Gaza to Greenland, Macron breaks with Trump on world flash points

Tuesday, Starmer announced his intentions. “I can confirm that the United Kingdom will recognize the state of Palestine by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September, unless the Israeli government takes substantial measures to end the appalling situation in Gaza, accepts a cease-fire and engaging in long-term lasting peace, revived on the prospect of a solution to two states.”

Parents and supporters of Israeli hostages have held the captive in the Gaza Strip since the October 7 attack in southern Israel, hold their portraits during a demonstration on the Place des Otages in Tel Aviv on May 28, 2025, to mark 600 days of their captivity and demanding their release and ending the war. (Ahmad Gharabli / AFP via Getty Images)

France announced a similar step last week. After these statements, ten other countries said they intended to follow: Malta confirmed it, and Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, Iceland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Portugal and San Marino declared plans to evolve in this direction. Spain, Ireland, Norway and Belgium have also expressed their support. The Netherlands, formerly considered one of the closest allies of Israel, have hardened its position, threatening to withdraw Israel from an EU research program and with the exception of Israeli entry ministers.

Speaking on the Air Force One after meeting Starmer in Scotland, President Donald Trump did not support the plan. “Essentially, they (the United Kingdom and France) say the same thing, and it’s ok. But you know that it doesn’t mean I have to agree,” he told journalists.

French president Emmanuel Macron welcomes British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) at a meeting on the situation in Ukraine and security issues in Europe at the Palais d’Elysé on February 17, 2025 in Paris, in France. (Tom Nicholson / Getty Images)

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The American diplomat veteran Dennis Ross has also weighed on X, warning that recognition without clear benchmarks could turn against him, displaying “recognizing an unanded Palestinian State will perpetuate the conflict and do not end it. What conditions? Managers are crediblely involved in coexist / non-violence, no independent militias, no alliances with the rejection, historical.