Last week in Gaza City, Muhammad Zakariya Ayyoub al-Matouq, an 18-month-old child, was photographed cradled by his mother; spine and ribs clearly visible, with a bin bag for a nappy. The starving toddler has become symbolic of the cruelty meted out to the Palestinians.
Sir Keir Starmer is correct when he says the British public is “revolted” by what they see on television.
He is also right to hold back on recognising Palestine as a state, despite the almost overwhelming pressure from Labour MPs, his own Cabinet, and arm-twisting by France’s President Emmanuel Macron.
To recognise Palestinian statehood when aid is the pressing priority would largely be a symbolic gesture unless questions over the leadership and extent of a Palestinian state are addressed first.
There are lots of unanswered questions: what conditions should be attached to such a declaration, and whether it would really deliver the positive change desired.
Israel’s reaction seems priced in – its parliament, the Knesset, has voted against the establishment of a Palestinian state.
What is less straightforward is how the US administration would respond. On the steps of his golf course in Ayrshire, alongside Starmer and his wife, Lady Vic, Donald Trump was asked explicitly whether he supported recognition: “I’m not going to take a position.
And I don’t mind him taking a position. I’m looking for getting people fed right now, for me, that’s the number one position.”
But Starmer knows Trump doesn’t mean it; that ambivalence was deliberate. Just look at the reaction to Macron’s pledge to formally acknowledge Palestine at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in September.
It prompted fury from Israel and allies, including the US. “What he says doesn’t matter,” Trump said of Macron ahead of his visit to the UK. “He’s a very good guy. I like him, but that statement doesn’t carry weight.”
Instead, during talks with Trump, Starmer focused on the practicalities, proposing a plan for peace in Gaza in the two leaders’ meeting on Monday.
It’s designed to deliver immediate humanitarian relief on the ground as well as chart a path to a two-state solution.
Earlier, Starmer’s official spokesperson said it was a matter of “when, not if” the UK recognises Palestine as a state, but that it must be one of the steps along a pathway to peace.
The UK Government’s policy is that it will formally acknowledge Palestine as part of a peace process, but only in conjunction with other Western countries and “at the point of maximum impact”.
Meanwhile, Labour MPs say Starmer is out of step with public opinion and that Palestinians need hope for the future.
In fact, polling from the More in Common think tank found that by a margin of 41 per cent to 21 per cent, Britons think the UK should recognise a Palestinian state.
However, just 24 per cent think the UK should recognise a Palestinian state immediately, with the public more likely to think that the UK should do this only once Hamas is no longer in control of the Gaza Strip.
Starmer is more in step with the public than his party is. A Cabinet meeting this week will allow the more than half a dozen senior ministers who have pushed for recognition of Palestine to make their case again.
But Starmer would be right to resist; to switch positions the day after Trump’s visit would be diplomatically clumsy.
There is no doubt that Palestinian recognition will come eventually. Nearly 150 out of the 190 UN member states formally do, including several other European countries such as Spain, Norway, and Ireland.
France is the first member of the G7 to do so. But to do so now would both be performative – although undoubtedly make the Labour Party feel better – and risk the UK’s relationship with the US in the middle of tough negotiations over steel and pharmaceutical tariffs.
“We have to be really clear at this point that Hamas can play absolutely no part in any future governance in Palestine and in Gaza, and it’s really important that we’re clear about what triggered this, who took the hostages, and calling out Hamas for what they are, which is a terrorist organisation. But I think the focus today has to be on getting the humanitarian aid in,” Starmer said on Monday, following the talks.
That was when Starmer was allowed to get a word in edgeways. Anyone who thought rambling monologues had departed with former President Joe Biden was to be disappointed. An answer to a question about a Federal Reserve rate cut took in Scottish craftsmen.
A reporter tried on a trade deal and was rewarded with an answer about how much Trump’s Scottish-born mother had loved the late Queen. A diatribe against “nasty” wind turbines took in how they murder birds.
Starmer fiddled with his cufflinks and linked his fingers anxiously, clearly wishing the seemingly endless press encounter would end. But as host at his own golf course, Trump was in no mood to wind up.
square ANNE MCELVOY Starmer hopes golf diplomacy can give the UK an edge over Europe with Trump
Read More
Trump managed to make a week’s worth of news in the 70 minutes he kept Starmer trapped in a wing chair in Scotland.
He set a new deadline of “10 or 12 days” for Vladimir Putin to agree to a Ukraine deal.
The US President also fended off questions about the infamous “Epstein files” and Ghislaine Maxwell as a “hoax”.
And, however much Trump claims to like Starmer, he’s not above simultaneously trolling the Prime Minister. On arrival, Trump highlighted the small boats crisis.
After the lunchtime talks, the US President suggested Starmer may want to restart fracking in Aberdeen. “That’s called the oil capital of Europe, and that’s a great asset that you have someday, if they ever think they’ll change their thinking on that,” he said, later praising Reform UK’s Nigel Farage for being pro-oil.
But the worst was reserved for Labour’s London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Asked if he would visit London during his state visit in September, Trump said: “I will, I’m not a fan of your mayor. I think he’s done a terrible job, the Mayor of London. He’s a nasty person.”
Starmer interrupted with a steadying hand to say: “He’s a friend of mine.” Trump continued, as if Starmer hadn’t spoken: “No, I think he’s done a terrible job.” Starmer went as red as the tandoori salmon he’s so fond of cooking.
And Trump rounded off with some electoral advice for Starmer: “Low taxes, keep us safe, keep us out of wars, stop the crime, and in your case, there is a big immigration component.”
With friends like these, eh?
Hence then, the article about trump claims to like starmer but he s not above trolling him was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Trump claims to like Starmer – but he’s not above trolling him )
Also on site :
- Macy’s Valley Fair shoppers thwart Rolex watch thieves
- Allegiant and Sun Country Airlines to Combine, Creating a Leading, More Competitive Leisure-Focused U.S. Airline
- RCB-W vs UPW-W Dream11 Prediction, Dream11 Playing XI, Today Match 5, WPL 2026