Starmer holds call with Saudi crown prince on plan to ensure ‘no role for Hamas in Gaza’
The two leaders spoke on Thursday to discuss progress on future governance of the Strip.
Keir Starmer has spoken with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman to discuss progress on his peace plan, including moves to ensure there is no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza, Downing Street has said.
During Thursday afternoon’s call the prime minister repeated his call for Israel to urgently lift its restrictions on aid and for Hamas to immediately and unconditionally release all hostages.
While there was no specific mention of the UK’s plan to recognise Palestinian statehood next month, a No.10 readout of the call said the two leaders “resolved to continue to work closely together to preserve the prospect of a two-state solution, which they reaffirmed was the only way to guarantee peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis.”
“Discussing the appalling humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the prime minister set out the work the UK is doing to improve the situation on the ground while continuing to press for a ceasefire,” added the statement.
The Saudis had previously welcomed Starmer’s announcement last month that the UK will formally recognise the State of Palestine in September unless Israel takes various “substantive steps.”
In a statement, the Saudi foreign ministry said: “The Kingdom renews its call to the international community and peace-loving countries to take serious steps that affirm the inherent right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
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