US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged a “friendly disagreement” over the recognition of a Palestinian state during a press briefing in the UK. Trump, on a state visit, was direct about his differing view but framed it as a minor issue in the context of the broader US-UK partnership, calling it “one of our few disagreements.”
The Prime Minister confirmed the policy difference but was quick to highlight their aligned goals. “We absolutely agree on the need for peace and a road map,” Starmer said, pointing to the “intolerable” conditions in Gaza as a shared concern that demands a resolution. His government’s approach is to use statehood recognition as a catalyst for a final peace settlement.
This nuanced strategy is intended to create momentum for a two-state solution, which Starmer argued is the only path to a “safe and secure Israel” alongside a sovereign Palestine. He also sought to allay security concerns by stating firmly that Hamas would have no place in any future Palestinian leadership recognized by the UK.
Behind the scenes, the UK is reportedly treading carefully, planning to postpone its official recognition of Palestine until after President Trump’s visit concludes. This move is a clear attempt to manage the optics of the disagreement and avoid an open political dispute with its closest ally, even as global pressure mounts for a resolution to the conflict.