Keir Starmer faced sharp criticism today from families of Israeli hostages who were viciously taken and killed by Hamas following his announcement that the UK will officially recognize a Palestinian state.

The Prime Minister was accused of giving in to the Islamist militant group by aligning UK policy with those of Canada and Australia, in a symbolic move intended to urge Israel to agree to a ceasefire in Gaza.

This decision comes nearly two years after the assaults by Hamas on October 7, when they crossed into Israel, igniting months of severe bloodshed and suffering in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of people.

Sir Keir used a video address this afternoon to defend the move, saying he was acting to try to salvage hopes of a two–state solution between the Israelis and Palestinians. 

But Mandy Damari, who met Sir Keir countless times in her campaign to free her British Israeli daughter Emily from 15 months of captivity, told the Daily Mail: ‘Keir Starmer is under a two–state delusion.

‘But even if he thinks he is right, he is rewarding Hamas for the October 7 barbaric and savage attack on Israel when the hostages are still not back, the war is not over and Hamas are still in power in Gaza.’

Ian Brisley, whose sister and two nieces were murdered by Hamas, told the Daily Mail: ‘Keir Starmer’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state is nothing less than rewarding terrorism. 

‘It frees no hostages. It eases no suffering in Gaza. What it does is send a signal: mass murder will be excused — even rewarded.’

He added: For decades Israel has faced relentless terror — Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad — groups who do not seek peace, but the extermination of Jews and the destruction of Israel.

‘How can you speak of a two–state solution when one side openly declares it will repeat October 7 again and again, if given the chance?’

The UK Government has acknowledged that recognising a Palestinian state would not ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza nor contribute to the freeing of the hostages taken by Hamas.

But the UK believes the move is necessary to safeguard the prospect of a lasting two-state solution to the Middle East conflict, with Israel existing alongside a Palestinian state.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu branded the move ‘absurd’ and ‘simply a reward for terrorism’.

In an effort to counter that criticism, Sir Keir said Hamas was a ‘brutal terror organisation’ and confirmed plans to ratchet up sanctions on the group.

‘Our call for a genuine two-state solution is the exact opposite of their hateful vision,’ he said.

But with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza escalating and Israel pushing ahead with settlements in the West Bank, Sir Keir said ‘the hope of a two-state solution is fading’ but ‘we cannot let that light go out’.

He said the ‘moment has now arrived’ to recognise a Palestinian state.     

Ilay David, brother of hostage Evyatar David, who was seen emaciated in a Hamas video last month, said: ‘Giving this recognition is like saying to Hamas: “It is OK, you can keep starving the hostages, you can keep using them as human shields”.

‘This kind of recognition gives Hamas power to be stubborn in negotiations.

‘That is the last thing we need right now.’

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum UK, a group representing relatives of captives with British ties, said in a statement: ‘Instead of confronting Hamas, Britain has emboldened it. Hamas has already celebrated the UK’s move as a victory, while continuing to block ceasefire deals and humanitarian access.’

The families demanded ‘concrete action’ by ministers, including securing medical access for the hostages, applying maximum pressure to force Hamas to release them all, and guaranteeing they are not used as human shields amid intensifying fighting.

While many figures on the Labour left celebrated this afternoon, not all of the party was happy with the decision. 

Labour Friends of Israel said that ‘outside of a meaningful peace process [it] will change nothing on the ground and it gives up an important diplomatic lever that can only be pulled once’.

A spokesman added: ‘We remain deeply concerned that this decision fails to address the barriers to peace posed by the Iranian regime and the need for radical reform of the Palestinian Authority. 

‘And we do not believe that it will help advance two critical goals: the release of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas for over 700 days and ensuring that Hamas is disarmed and can play no further part in the governance of a future Palestinian state.

‘LFI strongly supports the UK government’s desire to promote a negotiated two-state solution as the only means to guarantee Israel’s security and to preserve its precious identity as a Jewish and democratic state, as well as to meet the legitimate demand of the Palestinian people for self-determination and national sovereignty. 

‘We urge the government to now turn its attention to advancing meaningful steps towards this goal.’