Evolution of the UK's Stance on the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict in 2023–2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52575/2687-0967-2026-53-3-759-770Keywords:
UK Foreign Policy, Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, Gaza, Hamas, Israel, humanitarian aid, two-state solutionAbstract
In their article, the authors examine the evolution of the United Kingdom's foreign policy towards the Palestinian-Israeli conflict from October 2023 to the end of 2025. The chronological framework of the study covers the period of sharp escalation of violence following the events of October 7, 2023, the period of the Conservative government led by Rishi Sunak, and the subsequent change of the Cabinet to the Labour government of Keir Starmer. It demonstrates that, while declaring its commitment to the "two-state solution," London focused on managing the consequences of the crisis rather than addressing its root causes. A domestic political factor is highlighted: the division of opinions within the Conservative and Labour parties caused by the leadership's pro-Israel stance. The authors conclude that the change of government did not lead to a fundamental revision of strategy, but rather revealed the continuity of London’s course, which is focused on the tactical containment of the conflict at the expense of a long-term political settlement.
Downloads
References
Список источников
Израиль возобновил боевые действия против террористов в Газе. Электронный ресурс. 2025. URL: https://www.gov.il/ru/pages/israel-renews-attacks-on-terrorists-in-gaza (дата обращения: 23.01.2026).
Комментарий Посольства России в Великобритании в связи с провокационными высказываниями Министра обороны Великобритании Г. Шаппса. Электронный ресурс. 2023. URL: https://london.mid.ru/ru/press- centre/kommentariy_posolstva_rossii_v_velikobritanii_v_svyazi_s_provokatsionnymi_vyskazyvaniyami_ministra_o/ (дата обращения: 15.01.2026).
Нетаньяху одобрил продвижение «Проекта E1», который расширяет оккупацию палестинских территорий. Электронный ресурс. 2025. URL: https://www.aa.com.tr/ru/мир/нетаньяху-одобрил-продвижение-проекта-e1-который-расширяет-оккупацию-палестинских-территорий/3685305 (дата обращения: 26.01.2026).
Положение на Ближнем Востоке, включая палестинский вопрос. Электронный ресурс. 2025. URL: https://docs.un.org/ru/S/PV.9987 (дата обращения: 28.01.2026).
Резолюция 2735 (2024). Электронный ресурс. URL: https://docs.un.org/ru/s/RES/2735(2024) (дата обращения: 18.01.2026).
Резолюция 2803 (2025). Электронный ресурс. 2025. URL: https://docs.un.org/ru/S/RES/2803(2025) (accessed 29.01.2026).
Резолюция, принятая по докладу специальной (adhoc) комиссии по вопросам Палестины. Электронный ресурс. 1947. URL: https://docs.un.org/ru/A/RES/181(II) (дата обращения: 14.01.2026).
Решение о двух государствах – краеугольной камень ближневосточного урегулирования, убеждены в ООН. Электронный ресурс. 2025. URL: https://news.un.org/ru/story/2025/07/1466083 (дата обращения: 14.01.2026).
Совбез ООН не смог принять ни одну из предложенных США и Россией резолюций по Ближнему Востоку. Электронный ресурс. 2023. URL: https://news.un.org/ru/story/2023/10/1446187 (дата обращения: 15.01.2026).
Совбез ООН: США наложили вето на предложенную Бразилией резолюцию по Ближнему Востоку. Электронный ресурс. 2023. URL: https://news.un.org/ru/story/2023/10/1445912 (дата обращения: 15.01.2026).
США наложили вето на проект резолюции о членстве Палестины в ООН. Электронный ресурс. 2024. URL: https://news.un.org/ru/story/2024/04/1451506 (дата обращения: 17.01.2026).
Франция, ФРГ и Великобритания заявили о необходимости срочного оказания гумпомощи Газе. Электронный ресурс. 2024. URL: https://www.aa.com.tr/ru/ (дата обращения: 18.01.2026).
Aid to Gaza: E3 foreign ministers' statement, 23 April 2025 [Electronic resource]. 2025. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/ government/news/aid-to-gaza-e3-foreign-ministers-statement-23-april-2025 (accessed 26 January 2026).
Foreign Secretary calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza on first visit to the Middle East [Electronic resource]. 2024. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-calls-for-immediate-ceasefire-in-gaza-on-first-visit-to-the-middle-east.ru (accessed 18 January 2026).
Global Britain in a competitive age The Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Presented to Parliament by the Prime Minister by Command of Her Majesty [Electronic resource]. GOV.UK. 2021. March. P. 6. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/ media/60644e4bd3bf7f0c91eababd/Global_Britain_in_a_Competitive_Age_the_Integrated_Review_of_Security__Defence__Development_and_Foreign_Policy.pdf (accessed 13 January 2026).
Humanitarian situation in Gaza: the UK government’s response [Electronic resource]. 2024. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/humanitarian-situation-in-gaza-the-uk-governments-response (accessed 14 January 2026).
Humanitarian situation in Gaza: the UK government’s response [Electronic resource] 2024. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/humanitarian-situation-in-gaza-the-uk-governments-response/humanitarian-situation-in-gaza-the-uk-governments-response#working-with-international-partners-to-improve-the-humanitarian-situation-in-gaza- (accessed 17 January 2026).
Israel must lift all barriers to aid without delay and let international NGOs operate freely: UK statement at the UN Security Council [Electronic resource]. 2025. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/israel-must-lift-all-barriers-to-aid-without-delay-and-let-international-ngos-operate-freely-uk-statement-at-the-un-security-council (accessed 02 February 2026).
Joint Statement from Quint Leaders on Israel: 9 October 2023 [Electronic resource]. 2023. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-statement-from-quint-leaders-on-israel-9-october-2023 (accessed 13 January 2026).
Labour deeply divided over Starmer’s line on Israel-Hamas war [Electronic resource]. 2023. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/oct/20/labour-deeply-divided-over-starmers-line-on-israel-hamas-war (accessed 15 January 2026).
Middle East: Foreign Secretary statement, 20 March 2025 [Electronic resource]. 2025. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/ government/speeches/middle-east-foreign-secretary-statement-20-march-2025 (accessed 26 January 2026).
Middle East: Foreign Secretary's statement, 16 January 2025 [Electronic resource]. 2025. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/ government/speeches/middle-east-foreign-secretarys-statement-16-january-2025 (accessed 23.01.2026).
PM call with President el-Sisi of Egypt: 12 October 2023 [Electronic resource]. 2023. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/ government/news/pm-call-with-egypts-president-12-october-2023 (accessed 16 January 2026).
PM meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia: 19 October 2023 [Electronic resource]. 2023. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-meeting-with-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-of-saudi-arabia-19-october-2023 (accessed 16 January 2026).
PM meeting with the Amir of Qatar: 20 October 2023 [Electronic resource]. 2023. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/ government/news/pm-meeting-with-the-amir-of-qatar-20-october-2023 (accessed 16 January 2026).
PM statement at press conference with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel: 19 October 2023 [Electronic resource]. 2023. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-statement-at-press-conference-with-prime-minister-netanyahu-of-israel-19-october-2023 (accessed 16 January 2026).
PM statement on the recognition of Palestine: 21 September 2025 [Electronic resource]. 2025. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-statement-on-the-recognition-of-palestine-21-september-2025(accessed 29 January 2026).
PM statement to the House of Commons on the latest situation in Israel and Gaza: 16 October 2023 [Electronic resource]. 2023. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-statement-to-the-house-of-commons-on-the-latest-situation-in-israel-and-gaza-16-october-2023 (accessed 13 January 2026).
Press release on the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Gaza [Electronic resource]. 2023. Available at: https://mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/international_safety/regprla/1909945/ (accessed 15 January 2026).
Prime Minister deploys UK military to Eastern Mediterranean to support Israel [Electronic resource]. 2023. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-deploys-uk-military-to-eastern-mediterranean-to-support-israel (accessed 14 January 2026).
Six Britons dead and 10 missing after Hamas attack on Israel, Rishi Sunak says [Electronic resource]. 2023. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/oct/16/britons-dead-missing-hamas-attack-israel-rishi-sunak (accessed 15 January 2026).
The UK supports Security Council resolution 2720 on aid to Gaza [Electronic resource]. 2023. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/the-uk-supports-security-council-resolution-2720-on-aid-to-gaza (accessed 17 January 2026).
The United Kingdom is appalled by the deeply distressing scenes emerging from Rafah: UK statement at the UN Security Council [Electronic resource]. 2024. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/the-united-kingdom-is-appalled-by-the-deeply-distressing-scenes-emerging-from-rafah-uk-statement-at-the-un-security-council (accessed 17 January 2026).
The United Kingdom will continue to work with all partners to implement Resolution 2803 and to forge a just and lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians, anchored in a two-state solution: UK statement at the UN Security Council [Electronic resource]. 2025. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/resolution-2803-must-be-implemented-fully-effectively-and-in-accordance-with-international-law-uk-statement-at-the-un-security-council (accessed 02 February 2026).
UK to boost aid support for Gaza by sea [Electronic resource]. 2024. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-to-boost-aid-support-for-gaza-by-sea?utm_ source=miragenews&utm_medium=miragenews&utm_campaign=news (accessed 17 January 2026).
United Kingdom, Government of 2024 [Electronic resource].2024. Available at: https://fts.unocha.org/donors/2917/summary/2024 (accessed 17 January 2026).
Список литературы
Ананьева Е. 2023. Палестино-израильский конфликт – британский истеблишмент меж двух огней. Электронный ресурс. URL: https://interaffairs.ru/news/show/43136 (дата обращения: 13.01.2026).
Ананьева Е. 2024. Перспективы всеобщих выборов в Британии на фоне местных выборов в Англии. Электронный ресурс. URL: https://russiancouncil.ru/analytics-and-comments/analytics/perspektivy-vseobshchikh-vyborov-v-britanii-na-fone-mestnykh-vyborov-v-anglii/ (дата обращения: 17.01.2026).
Ананьева Е. 2024. Пока люди гибнут, британские партии выясняют отношения. Электронный ресурс. URL: https://interaffairs.ru/news/show/44802 (дата обращения: 13.01.2026).
Большаков А. 2023. Призрак Судного дня: новый виток израильско-палестинского конфликта. Электронный ресурс. URL: https://interaffairs.ru/news/show/42632 (дата обращения: 13.01.2026).
Васильев В.С. 2025. Геополитические интересы Великобритании в палестино-израильском конфликте на Большом Ближнем Востоке. Актуальные проблемы Европы, 4: 101–119.
Дьюрович Т. 2023. Нападение на Израиль: реакция в мире. Электронный ресурс. URL: https://interaffairs.ru/news/show/42600 (дата обращения: 13.01.2026).
Кадомцев А. 2024. Палестино-израильский конфликт: новый поворот – старый тупик. Электронный ресурс. URL: https://interaffairs.ru/news/show/45997 (дата обращения: 17.01.2026).
Кадомцев А. 2025. Сделка по Газе – что дальше? Электронный ресурс. URL: https://interaffairs.ru/news/show/53259 (дата обращения: 17.01.2026).
Сажин В. 2024. Палестина: четыре тысячи лет противостояния и перманентных конфликтов (история и современность). Электронный ресурс. URL: https://interaffairs.ru/news/show/44418 (дата обращения: 17.01.2026).
Rose R. 2024. The Electoral System: One Hit and One Miss [Electronic resource]. Available at: https://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/blogs/ec_rrose_20240712.html (accessed 17 January 2026).
References
Ananyeva E. 2023. Palestino-izrail'skij konflikt – britanskij isteblishment mezh dvuh ognej [The Palestinian‑Israeli Conflict – the British Establishment is Caught between Two Fires] Available at: https://interaffairs.ru/news/show/43136
Ananyeva E. 2024. Perspektivy vseobshchih vyborov v Britanii na fone mestnyh vyborov v Anglii [The Prospects for a General Election in Britain against the Backdrop of Local Elections in England]. Available at: https://russiancouncil.ru/analytics-and-comments/analytics/perspektivy-vseobshchikh-vyborov-v-britanii-na-fone-mestnykh-vyborov-v-anglii/
Ananyeva E. 2024. Poka lyudi gibnut, britanskie partii vyyasnyayut otnosheniya [While People are Dying, the British Parties are sorting Things Out]. Available at: https://interaffairs.ru/news/show/44802
Bolshakov A. 2023. Prizrak Sudnogo dnya: novyj vitok izrail'sko-palestinskogo konflikta [The Specter of Doomsday: A New Round of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict]. Available at: https://interaffairs.ru/news/show/42632
Vasilyev V.S. 2025. Geopoliticheskie interesy Velikobritanii v palestino-izrail'skom konflikte na Bol'shom Blizhnem Vostoke [Britain's Geopolitical Interests in the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict in the Greater Middle East]. Aktual'nye problemy Evropy [Current Problems in Europe], 4: 101–119.
Dyurovich T. 2023. Napadenie na Izrail': reakciya v mire [The Attack on Israel: The Reaction in the World]. Available at: https://interaffairs.ru/news/show/42600
Kadomcev A. 2024. Palestino-izrail'skij konflikt: novyj povorot – staryj tupik [The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: A New Turn, an Old Impasse]. Available at: https://interaffairs.ru/news/show/45997
Kadomcev A. 2025. Sdelka po Gaze – chto dal'she [The Gas Deal – What's Next]? Available at: https://interaffairs.ru/news/show/53259
Sazhin V. 2024. Palestina: chetyre tysyachi let protivostoyaniya i permanentnyh konfliktov (istoriya i sovremennost') [Palestine: Four Thousand Years of Confrontation and Permanent Conflicts (History and Modernity)]. Available at: https://interaffairs.ru/news/show/44418
Rose R. 2024. The Electoral System: One Hit and One Miss [Electronic resource]. Available at: https://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/blogs/ec_rrose_20240712.html (accessed 17 January 2026).
Abstract views: 0
Share
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Copyright (c) 2026 Via in tempore. History and political science
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
