‘I don’t mind if he takes a position on Palestine state’

US president clears path for Starmer to follow Macron’s lead

- DAVID MADDOX POLITICAL EDITOR

Donald Trump has removed a key obstacle to Sir Keir Starmer officially recognising a Palestinian state as the prime minister prepares to discuss the issue at a crucial cabinet meeting this week.

The president, seen as one of Israel's strongest supporters, signalled the United States would not object to such a move – giving Sir Keir the green light as pressure mounts on him to follow France's Emmanuel Macron in taking the step.

In an apparent shift in US backing for Israel, the president also expressed his concern at images and reports of children starving in Gaza, as a ground blockade means only very limited aid is getting through. And he joined calls for Benjamin Netanyahu to soften his tactics in Gaza, saying the Israeli PM “may have to do it a different way”.

Mr Trump's comments came after brief talks with Sir Keir at his Turnberry golf resort in Scotland, with Gaza at the top of the agenda for the prime minister, who is also putting the UK in the lead internationally on implementing a peace plan for the conflict.

Sir Keir is already committed to Palestinian statehood, which he has described as “an inalienable right”, but, unlike Mr Macron, he has resisted doing so immediately and has made clear that Hamas can have no role in any future government. While Sir Keir does not need US approval, coordinating foreign policy with the US has long been a key strategy.

Asked if the prime minister should bow to heavy pressure from Labour MPs to follow France's lead, Mr Trump replied: “I’m not going to take a position, I don’t mind him [Starmer] taking a position. I’m looking for getting people fed right now.”