Keir Starmer risks infuriating Labour's left with plan to 'delay recognition of Palestinian state to avoid rocking Britain's relationship with America and other allies'

Sir Keir Starmer will delay recognising a Palestinian state if Labour wins power next week due to fears it could rock Britain's relationship with the US, it is reported.

Labour's manifesto states the party is 'committed to recognising a Palestinian state' as part of a renewed push for peace in the Middle East and a two-state solution.

Sir Keir is under pressure from Labour's left-wing to act quickly on this pledge if the party wins the general election on 4 July.

But, according to The Times, allies of the Labour leader have warned he should not rush into recognising a Palestinian state.

They have reportedly expressed fears that doing so would open up a dividing line with America and other Western nations.

With opinion polls putting Labour on course for a large majority, they are said to believe Sir Keir can afford to ignore pro-Palestinian voices on the party's left.

Yet there are early signs that, should Sir Keir delay a move on recognising a Palestinian state, he would infuriate significant parts of his party.

Former party leader Jeremy Corbyn posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, today: 'Palestinians are human beings who deserve self-determination.

'We must recognise the state of Palestine. Not some time in the future. Not when the time is right. Now.'

Sir Keir Starmer will delay recognising a Palestinian state if Labour wins power next week due to fears it could rock Britain's relationship with the US, it is reported

Protesters march in support of Palestinians during a demonstration in Westminster earlier this month

Former party leader Jeremy Corbyn posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, today: 'Palestinians are human beings who deserve self-determination'

Labour's manifesto states the party is 'committed to recognising a Palestinian state' as part of a renewed push for peace in the Middle East and a two-state solution

Although Mr Corbyn was expelled from Labour after deciding to stand against the party as an independent on 4 July, he is still influential among many party members.

There are 145 countries that recognise Palestine but Britain, France, the US and Germany are not among them.

A source close to Sir Keir told the newspaper that British recognition of Palestine was 'a process' that would 'have the most impact' if done in 'co-ordination with allies'.

But they denied that the US position would influence the timing of an announcement.

Labour's manifesto states: 'Long-term peace and security in the Middle East will be an immediate focus.

'Labour will continue to push for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, the upholding of international law, and a rapid increase of aid into Gaza.

Palestinian statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people.

'It is not in the gift of any neighbour and is also essential to the long-term security of Israel.

'We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state as a contribution to a renewed peace process which results in a two-state solution with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.'

Ireland, Spain and Norway recently moved to recognise a Palestinian state, which prompted an angry response from Israel which said this amounted to a 'reward for terrorism' in the wake of the 7 October attacks by Hamas.

Rishi Sunak recently accused Labour of attempting to 'bully' Israel into early recognition of a Palestinian state.

The Prime Minister told the Jewish News newspaper: 'Now is not the right moment for Palestinian state recognition, while Israel is not secure.'

Sir Keir played down the likelihood of a Labour government recognising a Palestinian state any time soon while campaigning in north London earlier this month.

He said: 'It has got to be at the right time in the process, because we need a viable Palestinian state alongside a safe and secure Israel.

'We don’t have either of those at the moment, and therefore it has got to be at the point of the process where we could see both of those outcomes.'