British officials fear US could recognise Israeli West Bank settlements

British officials fear Donald Trump could recognise Israeli control over illegal settlements on the West Bank in retaliation for the UK, Australia, France and others deciding to recognise Palestine.

- Kiran Stacey Patrick Wintour Andrew Roth

Insiders believe the US president is considering granting official recognition to the Israeli communities there, which would be a serious blow to achieving a two-state solution.

Trump made passing reference to Palestinian recognition during a fiery speech at the UN yesterday, saying: “This would be a reward for these horrible atrocities, including October 7.” Arab and European leaders are now engaged in intense lobbying to make sure he does not go further by recognising West Bank settlements.

UK officials said some of the president's allies were putting pressure on him to recognise Israeli sovereignty over settlements in the West Bank and Arab leaders were pushing back.

“As always with this president, it is difficult to know which way he will go,” one said.

The White House declined to comment but a US official said Trump was not married to one solution. They added that he would not be constrained by what he considered to be the failed frameworks of the past.