“The Times“ claims that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will officially recognise Palestine as a state this weekend after President Trump ends his state visit to the UK, despite serious objections from Washington, BNR reported.
The British Prime Minister postponed a statement on the issue until Trump leaves, due to concerns that otherwise the issue could dominate the press conference of the two leaders today at the Chequers residence, the “Times“ writes. The US is categorically against the official recognition of Palestine, and Trump has already warned that this would be a kind of “reward“ of „Hamas“.
The UK is expected to follow up on this move before the UN General Assembly meeting in New York next week. Britain, France, Canada and Australia are among the countries expected to recognise Palestine at the assembly. The division between the UK and the US on the issue is striking, the „Times“ commented. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said that Israel's military attack on Gaza City was „completely reckless and appalling“ and would bring more bloodshed, kill more innocent civilians and endanger the remaining hostages. In contrast, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who joined Trump's visit to London, offered his support for Israel this week. He said that officially recognizing Palestine as a state would make peace less likely.