Opinion: Recognition of a Palestinian state should not be a pawn in a diplomatic game

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Britain would recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly, but only if the Israeli government fails to take substantive steps to end the situation in Gaza. While recognition would be a historic moment given Britain's past role, the conditional nature of the announcement has drawn criticism. The move is intended to reinforce the two-state solution and set terms for a future peace process. However, the author questions why Palestinians are not celebrating, suggesting that statehood should be an inalienable right and not used as a pawn in a diplomatic game to pressure Israel.