Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces his most challenging diplomatic test yet as he prepares to meet US President Donald Trump on Monday, seeking to convince him to take a different approach on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The meeting comes as international outrage over the situation in Gaza grows, and Starmer faces domestic pressure from his cabinet, Labour MPs, and the public to take further action against Israel.
Starmer has worked to build a working relationship with Trump since the US president's re-election, which has yielded some results, including an economic deal reducing tariffs on cars, aluminium, and steel. The UK has also helped shift Trump's position on Ukraine, with the president now expressing dissatisfaction with Vladimir Putin. However, the Gaza issue presents a unique challenge, as the White House does not regard it as a priority.
Trump is seen as the only international leader with influence over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, making this meeting a crucial opportunity. Starmer will urge Trump to push for the full lifting of Israel's blockade on aid into Gaza, where mass starvation is spreading. The longer-term goal is a ceasefire, with Starmer pressing Trump to revive talks between Israel and Hamas after negotiations were withdrawn from Qatar last week.
The window for a deal is narrow, as the Israeli parliament is not sitting until October, providing Netanyahu cover to agree a ceasefire. Starmer believes only Trump can pressure Netanyahu to do so. A 60-day pause in fighting is seen as a prerequisite for a more permanent cessation of violence.
Only after a ceasefire does Starmer feel the UK could follow France in formally recognising a Palestinian state, which Downing Street insiders say is a matter of 'when, not if'. Foreign Secretary David Lammy will attend a UN conference this week to establish a pathway to recognition. Starmer recently rejected a call to recognise Palestine immediately, arguing it would be largely symbolic without a ceasefire, and to avoid overshadowing the Trump meeting.
The meeting on Monday will test whether the energy invested in maintaining a good relationship with Trump has been worthwhile, and will show how far Starmer is prepared to push to help end the catastrophe in Gaza.
