Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will attempt to persuade US President Donald Trump to take a different approach on Gaza when the two leaders meet on Monday. The meeting comes as international pressure mounts over the humanitarian crisis in the territory, with mass starvation spreading and ceasefire talks stalled.
Trump described Starmer as “a good man” after arriving in Scotland, but Downing Street acknowledges that getting Gaza on the agenda has been difficult, as the White House does not regard it as a priority. Starmer is expected to urge Trump to press Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to revive ceasefire negotiations and lift the blockade on aid.
The UK has already taken steps to hold Israel to account, including restoring funding to UNRWA, sanctioning far-right Israeli ministers, backing the International Criminal Court, and restricting arms licences. However, Starmer faces domestic pressure from his cabinet, Labour MPs, and the public to do more.
A longer-term goal is a ceasefire. Starmer hopes Trump can bring Israel and Hamas back to the negotiating table after talks were withdrawn last week. The window is narrow, as the Israeli parliament is not sitting until October, giving Netanyahu cover for a deal.
Starmer has resisted calls to formally recognise Palestine, arguing it would be symbolic without a ceasefire. The outcome of Monday’s talks will test whether his strategy of maintaining a strong relationship with Trump can deliver results on Gaza.
