The UK government’s recognition of the State of Palestine “is a right and not a reward”. Bishop Jim Curry, Lead Bishop for the Holy Land, said this in a statement issued by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, joining other Christian leaders in welcoming UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s decision to recognise the Palestinian state. “The right to self-determination is fundamental to human dignity”, Bishop Curry wrote. “During the visit of the Holy Land Coordination group earlier this year, I met with Palestinian Christian communities in the West Bank – in Bethlehem, Aboud and Taybeh – and listened to their stories about the realities on the ground and the hardships they face every day. Their pain reinforced my conviction that the path to justice and peace can only be achieved when equal rights for all peoples – Jews, Christians and Muslims – are respected. I therefore echo the Holy See’s conviction that the Two-State Solution remains the ‘only viable path for Israel and Palestine’”. “Recognition of a Palestinian state clearly does not bring an end to the suffering”, Bishop Curry concluded. “The war in Gaza continues unabated, a ceasefire is still urgently needed, the release of all hostages must be secured, and aid must reach the millions who require it. We pray that the international community continue to work unstintingly to bring the war and its suffering to an end”.