Merz and Starmer Collaborate Amid International Pressure on Gaza Crisis

In a week marked by escalating international tensions, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have found themselves at the center of an urgent diplomatic push to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. On Friday, July 25, 2025, the two leaders, along with French President Emmanuel Macron, issued a joint statement calling for immediate and unrestricted humanitarian aid to Palestinians, a ceasefire, and progress toward lasting peace in the region. This comes as France became the first major Western power to announce its recognition of a Palestinian state, further intensifying the geopolitical discourse surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Pressure Mounts on Keir Starmer to Recognize Palestinian State

More than 220 MPs from nine political parties in the UK have signed a letter urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to recognize Palestine as a state. According to a report by BBC, the letter was signed by a majority of Labour MPs, alongside members of the Liberal Democrats, the Scottish National Party (SNP), and other political factions. The MPs argued that UK recognition would send a “powerful symbolic message” in support of Palestinian rights and help pave the way for a two-state solution, a position historically endorsed by the UK Parliament.

Labour MP Sarah Champion, who organized the letter, emphasized that recognition alone would not end the suffering in Gaza but could serve as a vital step toward peace. “British recognition of Palestine would be particularly powerful given its history in the region,” she said. The demand comes on the heels of a 2014 non-binding motion passed by the House of Commons, which called for the government to recognize a Palestinian state alongside Israel. Despite this, the UK has yet to take formal action on the matter, unlike countries such as Spain, Ireland, and Norway, which have done so in recent years to exert diplomatic pressure.

Starmer, in a statement issued after his call with Macron and Merz, reiterated his commitment to a two-state solution but stressed that recognition of Palestine must be part of a broader plan. “That pathway will set out the concrete steps needed to turn the ceasefire so desperately needed into a lasting peace,” he said. “Recognition of a Palestinian state has to be one of those steps, but it must be part of a wider plan which ultimately results in lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis.”

Humanitarian Crisis and Diplomatic Strains

The joint statement from the leaders of the UK, France, and Germany highlighted the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, describing the situation as a “catastrophe.” According to Yahoo News, over 1,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed while attempting to secure food aid in recent months. The United Nations and other international organizations have condemned Israel’s restrictions on aid as inhumane, although Israel maintains that Hamas is responsible for the crisis.

The leaders’ statement also criticized the Israeli government for withholding humanitarian assistance and called for an immediate ceasefire. However, it notably refrained from making explicit commitments regarding recognition of Palestinian statehood. Instead, it stressed the need for a political process that ensures “lasting security and peace for Israelis, Palestinians, and the entire region.”

In response, Israel’s foreign ministry dismissed the statement as “disconnected from reality,” accusing it of sending the wrong message to Hamas. Despite this, the UK government announced plans to collaborate with Jordanian authorities to facilitate the delivery of British aid to Gaza. “We are already working urgently to get aid onto planes and into Gaza,” Starmer said in a video statement on Friday.

France Takes the Lead

French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement of France’s intention to recognize Palestine marks a significant shift in Western diplomacy. As reported by Politico, Macron’s decision has placed additional pressure on other European nations, including the UK and Germany, to take a definitive stance. France’s move comes amid growing frustration over the lack of progress in achieving a two-state solution, a cornerstone of international efforts to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict.

While Germany and the UK have expressed support for the idea of Palestinian statehood, both countries have emphasized the need for a comprehensive peace plan. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has echoed Starmer’s call for a broader strategy, underscoring the importance of disarming Hamas and ensuring that the group has “no role in the future of Gaza.”

The Path Ahead

The diplomatic efforts by Starmer, Merz, and Macron underscore the complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict and the challenges of balancing humanitarian concerns with political realities. While the recognition of a Palestinian state remains a contentious issue, the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza has added urgency to the need for immediate action. As international leaders work to navigate these challenges, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether their efforts can lead to meaningful progress.

With the world watching, the actions of Starmer, Merz, and Macron may set the tone for the future of peace and security in the Middle East.