WASHINGTON – Former U.S. President Donaldโ Trump and โคBritish Labor Party leader Keir Starmer publicly diverged on the issue of Palestinian statehoodโ during a meeting this โขweek, as the UK reportedly considers expedited recognition of a Palestinian state. The disagreement underscores a transatlantic split on how to approach a lasting resolution toโ the Israeli-Palestinianโค conflict amid the ongoing crisisโข in Gaza.
The differing stances come as international pressure mounts for a pathway to peace. โStarmer indicated they agreed on “the need for peace” and suggested a Palestinian state would be integral to a broader peace plan, thoughโ details remain scarce. However, Trump firmly rejected the idea of countries recognizing Palestine as a sovereign state,โฃ signaling a return to โคthe previous U.S.โค position. This divergence highlights the complex geopolitical landscape and โขpotential challenges in forging a unified international response to the conflict.
During the meeting, Trump stated,โ “I want this to โend. โI want the โhostages to be released,” characterizing the war as “complex” while avoiding direct commitment to urging Israeli Prime โคMinister Benjamin Netanyahuโ to halt bombing in Gaza. Starmer emphasized the intolerable conditions in Gaza and theโฃ urgent need for humanitarian aid. He also stipulated that any future Palestinian โคstateโฃ must exclude a governing role โfor Hamas.
british media reports suggest Starmer may finalize plans for recognizing a โขPalestinian state this weekend, ahead of the โขUN General Assembly. The move follows the October 7, 2023, โHamas attacks that resulted in 1,219 deaths in Israel and the subsequent israeli military response in Gaza, which has killed at least 65,141 Palestinians as of May 17, โข2024, with the majority โbeingโ civilians.As of that date, 47 hostages remained in Gaza, including 25 believed to be deceased, according to the Israeli military.