MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – Muhammadiyah Chairperson of Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Community Empowerment, and Environment, Anwar Abbas, expressed strong support for the United Kingdom’s plan to officially recognize the State of Palestine, following a similar announcement from France. He described the move as a meaningful step toward Palestinian independence.
“The UK’s plan to recognize Palestine, following France’s earlier position, is something we should appreciate. Until now, the UK and France along with the United States have often stood in the way of the Palestinian people’s efforts to establish a free and sovereign nation,” said Anwar on Thursday, July 31.
Anwar believed that recognition from influential countries such as the UK and France gives new hope for the Palestinian cause. It could also encourage more nations to follow suit, helping to revive the long-stalled two-state solution, which has faced major political and military roadblocks.
“We hope more countries will follow the lead of France and the UK. This would bring Palestine closer to independence and allow it to stand as an equal among other nations in dignity, sovereignty, and international status,” he added.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the plan in a televised statement from Downing Street, recalling his cabinet from recess to address the ongoing crisis in Gaza. He stated that the UK would recognize Palestine in September if Israel fails to stop its attacks and agree to a ceasefire.
“I have always said we would recognize Palestine as a meaningful contribution to peace, at a time when it would have the greatest impact on the two-state solution,” Starmer said. “With that hope now under threat, it’s time to act.”
Starmer stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza, long-term peace efforts, and renewed commitment to the two-state solution as the best path to end the decades-long conflict.
A week earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron also announced France’s plan to formally recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September. In his official statement shared on social media, Macron said the move reflected France’s commitment to a fair and lasting peace in the Middle East.
The announcements from the UK and France mark a shift in Western policy, diverging from the stance of the United States, which has yet to recognize Palestine as a state. The decision has drawn mixed reactions from global actors, including the U.S. and Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia.
Anwar Abbas said this growing support for Palestine is more than a diplomatic matter. It is about standing for justice and humanity.
“Recognizing Palestine is not just a political decision. It is a moral responsibility based on the values of justice and human dignity,” said Anwar Abbas.
