The PM also claimed that the UK’s decision to recognise Palestinian statehood had aided the cause of peace.
He told MPs: “This move, taken alongside our allies France, Canada, Australia and others, helped lead to the historic New York declaration, where for the first time the entire Arab League condemned the atrocities of October 7, urged Hamas to disarm and, crucially, demanded that they end their rule in Gaza.”
Kemi Badenoch accused the prime minister of “taking the wrong decisions time and time again, diminishing our influence in” the Middle East.
“It’s quite clear that UK relations with Israel have been strained by the actions of this government,” she told MPs, to cries of “shame” from the Labour benches.
The Conservative leader added: “In a move praised by Hamas, Labour decided to recognise a state of Palestine with no condition to release the hostages still held in the tunnels of Gaza, rewarding terrorism.”
At the time, the US voiced strong opposition to the UK and other countries recognising Palestinian statehood, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying Hamas would “feel more emboldened” by the move.