LONDON, September 22, 2025 (WAFA) – British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said she had warned Israel not to annex parts of the West Bank in response to the UK's recognition of a Palestinian state.

Speaking to reporters ahead the high-level international conference on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue and the implementation of the two-state solution, which will be held Monday evening at the United Nations headquarters in New York, where France and other European countries are scheduled to issue a similar declaration.

In response to a question about whether she feared Israel would use this announcement as a pretext for annexing the West Bank, Cooper said she had informed her Israeli counterpart of the need not to take such an action.

Cooper explained that recognizing Palestine is about protecting peace, justice, and vital security for the Middle East, pledging to continue working with everyone across the region to achieve this.

She continued, "Just as we recognize Israel, we must also recognize the right of the Palestinians to establish their own state."

On Sunday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the United Kingdom recognizes the State of Palestine. Canada, Australia, and Portugal also announced their recognition of the establishment of Palestine.

Y.S