As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushes forward with a ground incursion into Gaza City, the topic of a long-term political solution is causing friction between the US and UK. During a state visit, President Donald Trump expressed his disagreement with Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s plan to recognize Palestine.
The ongoing Israeli military operation serves as the immediate backdrop for this policy divergence. The UK government sees recognition as a necessary political step to counter the military escalation and offer a pathway back to a peace process. The US, however, remains opposed to what it views as a unilateral move.
Prime Minister Starmer, while acknowledging the disagreement with Trump, stressed their shared view that the situation on the ground is “intolerable.” He argued that recognizing a Palestinian state—one that explicitly excludes Hamas—is part of a realistic “road map” to a two-state solution, which he believes is the only way to guarantee Israel’s security.
The UK is reportedly waiting for Trump’s visit to end before making its recognition official, a sign of the diplomatic sensitivities involved. The split between the allies comes as the regional conflict widens, with Israel also starting strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
