DEVELOPING: UK Issues Urgent Warning to Israel Amid Palestinian Statehood Push

UK Issues Urgent Warning to Israel Amid Palestinian Statehood Push The UK has warned Israel not to annex parts of the West Bank in response to the UK's recognition of Palestinian statehood, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said on Monday. This warning comes as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the UK's recognition of a Palestinian state on Sunday. Cooper made it clear that she had informed her Israeli counterpart that Israel must not retaliate against the UK's decision by annexing parts of the West Bank. The UK believes its move will respect the security needs of both Israelis and Palestinians, Cooper said. The UK's recognition of Palestine is part of a broader shift in policy, with Canada, Australia, and Portugal also announcing their support for Palestinian statehood on Sunday. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned these moves, calling them a "huge reward to terrorism". This development comes ahead of a conference at the UN in New York where France and other European states are expected to make similar announcements. Background: The UK's recognition of Palestine marks a significant change in policy for the country. The move is part of an international push for Palestinian statehood, with several countries announcing their support in recent days. Current Status: The situation remains tense, with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemning the UK's decision. The UK has warned Israel not to retaliate by annexing parts of the West Bank, but it remains to be seen how Israel will respond. Developing Story: This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available. *This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Based on reporting from Bbc.*