WASHINGTON – Former U.S. President Donald Trump and British Labor Party leader Keir Starmer publicly diverged on the issue of Palestinian statehood during a meeting this week, as the UK reportedly considers expedited recognition of a Palestinian state. The disagreement underscores a transatlantic split on how to approach a lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict amid the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
The differing stances come as international pressure mounts for a pathway to peace. Starmer indicated they agreed on “the need for peace” and suggested a Palestinian state would be integral to a broader peace plan, though details remain scarce. However, Trump firmly rejected the idea of countries recognizing Palestine as a sovereign state, signaling a return to the previous U.S. position. This divergence highlights the complex geopolitical landscape and potential challenges in forging a unified international response to the conflict.
During the meeting, Trump stated, “I want this to end. I want the hostages to be released,” characterizing the war as “complex” while avoiding direct commitment to urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt bombing in Gaza. Starmer emphasized the intolerable conditions in Gaza and the urgent need for humanitarian aid. He also stipulated that any future Palestinian state must exclude a governing role for Hamas.
british media reports suggest Starmer may finalize plans for recognizing a Palestinian state this weekend, ahead of the UN General Assembly. The move follows the October 7, 2023, Hamas 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, 2024, with the majority being civilians.As of that date, 47 hostages remained in Gaza, including 25 believed to be deceased, according to the Israeli military.