Trump admits disagreement with Starmer over Palestine recognition
At Chequers press conference with US leader, the PM defends plan stressing 'We have extended family in Israel - I understand the psychological impact Oct 7 had across Israel'
Donald Trump said he has “a disagreement with the Prime Minister on that score” when asked about Keir Starmer’s plan to recognise a Palestinian state.
“I have a disagreement with the Prime Minister on that score, one of our few disagreements actually,” he told journalists at a press conference when asked about the British plan to recognise Palestinian statehood.
Trump also repeatedly said that “we have to have the hostages back immediately” and said October 7 was “one of the worst days in the history of humanity”.
Speaking alongside Donald Trump at Chequers, Starmer had said:”We absolutely agree on the need for peace and a road map, because the situation in Gaza is intolerable.
“The hostages have been held for a very, very long time, and they must be freed, and we need to get aid into Gaza at speed.
“And so within that context of a peace plan, which we’re working hard on, which we discussed this morning, our two teams have been working together.”
The PM then added:”The question of recognition needs to be seen so it’s part of that overall package which hopefully takes us from the appalling situation we are in now to the outcome of a safe and secure Israel, which we do not have, and a viable Palestinian state.”
Later, when asked why he was proceeding with recognition of Palestine, when it would be “rewarding Hamas,” Starmer said:”Let me be clear about Hamas – a terrorist organisation who could have no part in any future governance in Palestine.
“What happened on October 7 was the worst attacks… since the Holocaust.”
The PM then stressed, “We have extended family in Israel. I understand firsthand the psychological impact that had across Israel.
“I know exactly where I stand in relationship – Hamas does not want a two-state solution, they don’t want peace”.
Asked by journalists about the timing of his plan for recognition, the Prime Minister said: “On the question of recognition, I made my position clear at the end of July, so the timing, it’s got nothing to do with this state visit.
“I’ve discussed it with the President, as you would expect, amongst two leaders who respect each other and like each other, and want to bring about a better solution in the best way that we can.”
In his introductory speech at Thursday’s press conference, Starmer said, “We are also united in the pursuit of peace.
“We are working together to end the humanitarian catastrophe in the Middle East, get the aid in, free the hostages, and ultimately bring Israel and the region back towards a comprehensive plan which can deliver peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”
He added: “We’re also working together to end the killing in Ukraine.”
When he spoke, Trump accused Hamas of “putting the hostages up as bait” and described this as “pretty brutal”.
Trump said he is “working very hard on Israel and Gaza”.
The US president said: “Complex, but it’s going to get done. It’ll all get done right. And, likewise, Russia and Ukraine will get done.
“But you never know in war. War is a different thing. Things happen that are very opposite of what you thought.
“You thought you were going to have an easy time or a hard time. And it turns out to be the reverse.”
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