Why is the UK recognising Palestinian statehood on Sunday, a day before France and a host of other European nations do likewise?
You might think the decision would have more impact if these countries made the announcement together, their leaders standing shoulder-to-shoulder at the United Nations in New York.
The answer lies in the fact that the Jewish New Year – known as Rosh Hashanah – begins on Monday evening and diplomats did not want to cause offense by announcing what will be to some a controversial decision just as many Israelis begin to mark a holy festival.
The French, having organised a special conference at the UN, decided to stick with Monday.
A more prosaic reason might be that Starmer will not be attending the UN general assembly this week and an announcement of this magnitude could not be left to either the Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, or Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, who will be representing Britain here instead.
