Trump avoids criticising UK over Palestine recognition

US President Donald Trump has steered clear of criticising the British government over its plan to recognise a Palestinian state this weekend, saying only that he has a "disagreement" with Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Asked by the BBC about the UK's plan at a joint press conference with Starmer on Thursday afternoon, Trump responded with a lengthy reflection on his desire to see Israeli captives released from Gaza and their treatment at the hands of Hamas.

"I want the hostages released now," he said.

"I want the hostages released and I think it's gonna be okay, but this has been a brutal period of time, but this has been going on for a long time," he said.

"We want the fighting to stop and it's going to stop," the president continued.

Apparently referring to the UK's plan to recognise Palestine, he then said: "I have a disagreement with the prime minister on that score. One of our few disagreements, actually."

Trump did not expand or offer further comments on the UK's position.

Starmer said that "we absolutely agree on the need for peace and a roadmap, because the situation in Gaza is intolerable".

He continued: "It's within that context of a plan for peace, which we're working hard on, which not only did we discuss this morning, but which our two teams have been working together on, that the question of recognotion needs to be seen.

"So it's part of that overall package which hopefully takes us from the appalling situation which we see now to a safe and secure Israel, which we do not have, and a viable Palestinian state."

The British government intends to make good on its threat to recognise a Palestinian state this weekend after Trump's state visit has concluded.

According to the Times, Starmer decided to delay the announcement until after Trump leaves the country so the issue does not dominate the agenda during the state visit.

The Labour government announced over the summer it would recognise a Palestinian state alongside France before the UN General Assembly in New York, which begins on Monday, if Israel did not meet a series of British conditions.

These conditions included agreeing to a ceasefire and commiting not to annex any of the occupied West Bank.

In response, Israel accused the UK and other countries pledging to recognise a Palestinian state - including Australia and Canada - of siding with Hamas.

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The country has launched a full-scale ground invasion to occupy Gaza City, and is reportedly gearing up to annex the West Bank.

Last month the British government published a memorandum of understanding with the Palestinian Authority, which said Britain is committed to "the two-state solution based on 1967 lines" and "does not recognise the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, as part of Israel".

The memorandum declares: "The West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza, must be reunified under its sole authority."

It adds that "the UK affirms the inalienable right of the Palestinian people of self-determination, including to an independent state".

In a significant statement of British support for the Palestinian Authority, the document insists that the PA "must have the central role in the next phase in Gaza on governance, security and early recovery".

British officials have previously demanded that Hamas should disarm and end its rule in Gaza.