Summary
Starmer announced the UK’s planned conditional recognition of Palestine in September.
Trump denies discussing this specific UK plan with Starmer.
Trump opposes the recognition, seeing it as rewarding Hamas.
The UK’s move is conditional on Israeli actions towards peace and humanitarian relief.
This comes as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer informed his cabinet that unless the Israeli government takes significant action to stop the "appalling situation" in Gaza and complies with other requirements, Britain will recognize the state of Palestine in September.
"We never did discuss it,"
Trump told reporters on board Air Force One.
"He said that the UK will recognise the state of Palestine in September, before UNGA (United Nations General Assembly), unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, reaches a ceasefire, makes clear there will be no annexation in the West Bank, and commits to a long-term peace process that delivers a Two State Solution,"
the statement said.
Israel, meanwhile, declared that it "rejected" Prime Minister Keir Starmer's declaration that unless Israel takes action to stop the war in Gaza, Britain will recognize a Palestinian state.
The foreign ministry said on X that "Israel rejects the statement by the prime minister of the United Kingdom" and that the action "constitutes a reward for Hamas and harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza."
What are the implications of Trump's denial for the Palestine recognition debate?
Trump's rejection and framing of Palestinian state recognition as "rewarding Hamas" risks weakening the UK's position internationally. It signals continued strong opposition from influential U.S. political figures—especially Trump, who remains a key voice in right-wing and pro-Israel circles—potentially discouraging or complicating broader international moves to recognize Palestine.
Trump’s firm stance against recognizing Palestine aligns with his previous policies that heavily favored Israel, such as moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and cutting Palestinian aid. This denial reminds the world that U.S. bipartisan support for Israel remains a stabilizing factor, even as UK policy shifts.