Prime Minister Keir Starmer will recall his cabinet from summer recess for an emergency meeting on the Gaza crisis this week, as cross-party MPs urge him to press Donald Trump for a tougher stance on Israel during their talks in Scotland.
Starmer is expected to urge the US president to use his influence over the Israeli government to resume ceasefire negotiations, which stalled after the US and Israel withdrew their teams from Qatar. The proposed deal includes a 60-day truce and increased aid, but talks have broken down.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy will attend a UN conference on a two-state solution in New York, where the pathway to recognising a Palestinian state will be discussed. Government sources said formal recognition is a matter of 'when, not if', but declined to give details, risking further criticism of Starmer's response.
Starmer faces growing domestic pressure, including from a third of MPs, to recognise a Palestinian state. However, the government insists this will only happen as part of a negotiated peace deal, contrasting with France's announcement that it will recognise a Palestinian state at the UN in September.
During his meeting with Trump at Turnberry, Starmer will also discuss the UK-US economic deal that reduces tariffs on cars, aluminium and steel. MPs from both sides stressed the urgency of the Gaza situation, with Labour MP Emily Thornberry saying 'Netanyahu only listens to Trump' and that Starmer must press for a ceasefire.
