Lib Dem leader Ed Davey will boycott the Windsor Castle state banquet during Donald Trump’s UK visit, protesting his failure to end the Gaza conflict.
According to Davey, who described his decision as a protest against Trump's inaction to halt the war, they cannot ignore the humanitarian disaster in Gaza.
In a post on the US social media company X, he wrote:
"I'm boycotting the state banquet to send a message to both Donald Trump and Keir Starmer that they cannot close their eyes and wish away the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Donald Trump can stop this catastrophe in Gaza and get the hostages released."
He added:
"I fear we could have a situation where Trump comes to our country, is honored with a lavish dinner at one of our finest palaces, yet no one reminds him that he has the power to stop the horrifying starvation, deaths and captivities in Gaza."
Trump's official visit to the UK in mid-September includes the state banquet.
Since October 2023, Israel has killed around 63,000 Palestinians in Gaza. The famine-stricken enclave has been decimated by the military campaign.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant were both wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza last November.
Because of its war on the enclave, Israel is also facing a genocide prosecution at the International Court of Justice.
What impact could his boycott have on public opinion in the UK?
His high-profile protest may draw significant media attention, raising public awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and increasing pressure on political leaders to seek an end to the conflict.
The boycott signals solidarity with those suffering in Gaza, resonating with UK citizens sympathetic to Palestinian causes or concerned about human rights violations. The move could deepen political divisions, with some viewing it as a principled stand for justice, while others may see it as unnecessarily confrontational or damaging to UK-US relations.
Public figures taking strong stances can embolden grassroots movements and increase public engagement on foreign policy and human rights issues. Some segments of the public and political establishment might perceive the boycott as symbolic grandstanding, which could limit its persuasive impact among certain groups.