The United Kingdom has revised its official maps and government websites to reflect its recognition of the State of Palestine, replacing the previous label of “Occupied Palestinian Territories.”
The change follows Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s announcement on Sunday that Britain now formally acknowledges Palestine as a state, aligning with earlier moves by Canada and Australia. “In the face of mounting horror in the Middle East, we are working to preserve the possibility of peace and a two-state solution,” Starmer said at a press conference. He emphasized that “Hamas can have no future, no role in government, and no role in security in any Palestinian state.”
British media reported that references to “Palestine” are now visible in several areas of the Foreign Office’s website, including travel advisories, the list of diplomatic missions, and regional maps.
With this step, Britain becomes the third member of the G7 to extend recognition to Palestine. The announcement also precedes a high-level meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, where more nations are expected to follow suit.
