Emily Damari, who endured 471 days in Hamas captivity, has condemned UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s plan to recognize a Palestinian state, warning it legitimizes terror and undermines peace.
In a powerful and emotional rebuke, Emily Damari—a dual British-Israeli citizen who survived 471 harrowing days as a Hamas hostage—has accused UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer of “rewarding terror” with his plan to recognize a Palestinian state by September.
Damari, who was freed after more than a year in Hamas captivity, took to X on Wednesday to voice her outrage over Starmer’s announcement.
“As a Dual British-Israeli citizen who survived 471 days in Hamas captivity, I am deeply saddened by your decision, Keir Starmer, to recognise Palestinian statehood,” she wrote. “This move does not advance peace—it risks rewarding terror. It sends a dangerous message: that violence earns legitimacy.”
She warned that recognition under current conditions—while Hamas still controls Gaza and wages its campaign of terror—would embolden extremists and prolong the conflict, not end it.
“By legitimising a state entity while Hamas still controls Gaza and continues its campaign of terror, you are not promoting a solution; you are prolonging the conflict. Recognition under these conditions emboldens extremists and undermines any hope for genuine peace. Shame on you.”
On Tuesday, Starmer announced that the UK would move forward with recognition of a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly unless Israel makes significant changes in Gaza policy—namely:
- A ceasefire agreement
- A halt to annexation in Judea and Samaria
- A commitment to a peace process
The British government justified the move as part of its “commitment to a two-state solution”, calling Palestinian statehood an “inalienable right” while condemning Hamas for the October 7th massacre and reaffirming Israel’s right to self-defence.
Israeli officials reacted with fury, branding the British decision a strategic blunder that plays directly into Hamas’s hands. Israel’s Foreign Minister declared the shift “a reward for Hamas” and warned it would harm ongoing efforts to secure both a Gaza ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages.
Damari’s public stand adds a deeply personal voice to the growing chorus of criticism—one that comes from someone who has lived the nightmare of Hamas’s brutality and warns against political gestures that could fuel future violence.In a powerful and emotional rebuke, Emily Damari—a dual British-Israeli citizen who survived 471 harrowing days as a Hamas hostage—has accused UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer of “rewarding terror” with his plan to recognize a Palestinian state by September.
Damari, who was freed after more than a year in Hamas captivity, took to X on Wednesday to voice her outrage over Starmer’s announcement.
“As a Dual British-Israeli citizen who survived 471 days in Hamas captivity, I am deeply saddened by your decision, Keir Starmer, to recognise Palestinian statehood,” she wrote. “This move does not advance peace—it risks rewarding terror. It sends a dangerous message: that violence earns legitimacy.”
She warned that recognition under current conditions—while Hamas still controls Gaza and wages its campaign of terror—would embolden extremists and prolong the conflict, not end it.
“By legitimising a state entity while Hamas still controls Gaza and continues its campaign of terror, you are not promoting a solution; you are prolonging the conflict. Recognition under these conditions emboldens extremists and undermines any hope for genuine peace. Shame on you.”
On Tuesday, Starmer announced that the UK would move forward with recognition of a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly unless Israel makes significant changes in Gaza policy—namely:
- A ceasefire agreement
- A halt to annexation in Judea and Samaria
- A commitment to a peace process
The British government justified the move as part of its “commitment to a two-state solution”, calling Palestinian statehood an “inalienable right” while condemning Hamas for the October 7th massacre and reaffirming Israel’s right to self-defence.
Israeli officials reacted with fury, branding the British decision a strategic blunder that plays directly into Hamas’s hands. Israel’s Foreign Minister declared the shift “a reward for Hamas” and warned it would harm ongoing efforts to secure both a Gaza ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages.
Damari’s public stand adds a deeply personal voice to the growing chorus of criticism—one that comes from someone who has lived the nightmare of Hamas’s brutality and warns against political gestures that could fuel future violence.
