Prime Minister Keir Starmer has recalled his cabinet from summer recess for an emergency meeting on the Gaza crisis, as cross-party MPs urge him to press US President Donald Trump for a tougher stance on Israel during their meeting in Scotland on Monday.
Starmer is expected to push Trump to use his influence to resume ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, which stalled after the US and Israel withdrew their negotiation teams from Qatar. The proposed deal includes a 60-day ceasefire and increased aid, but no progress has been made.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy will attend a UN conference on a two-state solution in New York this week, where the pathway to formally recognising a Palestinian state will be discussed. Government sources said recognition is a matter of “when, not if”, though no timeline was given, risking further criticism of Starmer’s response.
Starmer is under domestic pressure from his own cabinet and a third of MPs to recognise a Palestinian state, but the government has said it will only do so as part of a negotiated peace deal. France’s Emmanuel Macron announced France would recognise a Palestinian state at the UN in September, but UK aides said this would be symbolic without a peace path.
During the meeting at Trump’s Turnberry golf course, Starmer will also discuss the UK-US economic deal that reduces tariffs on cars, aluminium, and steel. MPs from across the Commons stressed the urgency of the Gaza situation, with Labour MP Emily Thornberry saying “Netanyahu only listens to Trump” and that Starmer must try to secure a ceasefire despite the risks.
