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Starmer risks clash with Trump on Gaza

Starmer risks clash with Trump on Gaza

Telegraph26-07-2025
Sir Keir Starmer will press Donald Trump on whether more can be done to end the war in Gaza at a meeting in Scotland on Monday.
The Prime Minister's urging for securing a ceasefire raises the risk of a clash with the US president, who has said that Hamas does not want peace.
It comes as Mr Trump continues his short visit to Scotland, during which he was expected to visit both of his golf courses.
He will also meet Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, to discuss trade ties between the US and the European Union.
The Telegraph understands Sir Keir and Mr Trump's one-on-one talks will focus on how Britons and Americans can benefit from the UK-US trade deal struck in May. He is also expected to discuss further support for Ukraine.
But the Prime Minister is expected to enter more contentious territory as he seeks to explore further steps that could be taken to secure an 'urgent' ceasefire in Gaza.
He will go on to affirm his support for the return of the remaining 50 Israeli hostages being held by Hamas.
On Saturday, the Prime Minister confirmed Britain would evacuate critically ill children from the Gaza Strip and said he was working with Jordan on a plan to drop aid into the territory by air.
He said: 'Israel must allow aid in over land to end the starvation unfolding in Gaza. The situation is desperate.
'We are urgently accelerating efforts to evacuate children who need critical medical assistance to the UK for treatment.'
At the talks in Scotland, Sir Keir will also discuss how to end the Russia-Ukraine war after Mr Trump turned on Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, in recent weeks.
Mr Trump told Britain to 'get its act together' on illegal migration as he landed in Scotland on Friday, claiming that a 'horrible invasion' was taking place.
Last week, Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, condemned Emmanuel Macron's 'reckless' announcement that France will recognise Palestine as a state in September.
Sir Keir promised to formally recognise Palestine in Labour's general election manifesto last year but has insisted on the need to do so at the right time.
Writing for The Telegraph, Tzipi Hotovely, Israel's ambassador to the UK, said recognition would amount to 'nothing less than a reward for terrorism'.
Ms Hotovely said the decision would merely 'reward' the Oct 7 terrorists who killed about 1,200 Israelis and began the current cycle of violence in the Middle East.
Sir Keir's reluctance to immediately recognise Palestine comes despite Cabinet colleagues, including Angela Rayner, his deputy, urging him to do so.
Despite their political differences, Sir Keir and Mr Trump have forged a surprisingly warm personal relationship.
The US president once again lavished the Prime Minister with praise after Air Force One touched down in Glasgow Prestwick on Friday.
'I like your Prime Minister – slightly more liberal than I am, as you probably heard, but he's a good man,' Mr Trump said.
'He got a trade deal done, and you know, they've been working on this deal for 12 years. He got it done. It's a good deal. It's a good deal for the UK.'
Mr Trump insisted there would not be a renegotiation next week but promised a 'celebration' of the trade deal.
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