Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to meet US President Donald Trump on Monday, hoping to convince him to press Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to revive Gaza peace talks. The meeting comes amid growing international and domestic pressure on Starmer to take stronger action on the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East.
Trump, who arrived in the UK on Friday, has described Starmer as a 'good man' despite their political differences. However, getting Gaza onto the agenda is challenging, as the White House does not see it as a priority. Starmer's advisers point to UK actions such as restoring UNRWA funding, sanctioning Israeli ministers, and restricting arms licences, but acknowledge further steps may be needed.
The immediate focus is on humanitarian aid, with mass starvation spreading across Gaza. Starmer will urge Trump to push Israel to fully lift its blockade. The longer-term goal is a ceasefire, with Starmer hoping to restart talks between Israel and Hamas after negotiations broke down last week. A 60-day pause in fighting is seen as a prerequisite for a permanent end to violence.
Starmer has resisted calls to formally recognise a Palestinian state, arguing it would be symbolic without a ceasefire. Foreign Secretary David Lammy will attend a UN conference this week to discuss a pathway to recognition. The outcome of Monday's meeting will test whether Starmer's strategy of maintaining a good relationship with Trump can yield results on Gaza.
