Keir Starmer has justified Britain’s declaration of Palestinian statehood by insisting that it will keep open the path to a two‑state solution and ultimately lead to peace. The reality was laid bare the very evening of Starmer’s declaration. Their message was unmistakable: Hamas rules ‘Palestine’, and terror remains its currency. That is the state Britain has chosen to recognise. Ultimately, recognition of a Palestinian state under these conditions is not a step towards peace.