Latest news with #peaceplan
Al Arabiya
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
UK PM Starmer will hold emergency cabinet to discuss Gaza peace plan
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will hold an emergency cabinet on Tuesday to discuss the situation in Gaza and a proposed peace plan as he comes under mounting pressure from his own party to recognize a Palestinian state. Starmer has taken the rare step of recalling his cabinet during the summer holidays to discuss how to deliver more humanitarian aid to Gaza. In a meeting with US President Donald Trump in Scotland on Monday, Starmer discussed the need for a ceasefire in Gaza and what he called the 'revolting' humanitarian crisis. Britain is working on the plan with France and Germany after a call between the leaders of the three countries last week. Starmer has not shared details of the plan, but over the weekend he compared the proposals to the 'coalition of the willing', the international effort to support Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire in its war with Russia. Starmer's spokesman said he would discuss the plan with other international allies and countries in the Middle East. War has raged in Gaza between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas for the past 22 months. Israel has been facing growing international criticism, which its government rejects, over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. With warnings people in Gaza are facing starvation, growing numbers of lawmakers in Starmer's Labor Party want him to recognize a Palestinian state to put pressure on Israel. British foreign minister David Lammy will attend a United Nations conference in New York on Tuesday to urge support for a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. Successive British governments have said they will formally recognize a Palestinian state when the time is right, without ever setting a timetable or specifying the necessary conditions. The issue has come to the fore after President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday France would recognize Palestine as a state. Starmer has so far rejected plans to immediately recognize a Palestinian state, saying he was focused on 'practical solutions.' Last week, more than 200 British members of parliament from nine parties signed a letter Friday calling for an immediate recognition of a Palestinian state.
Arab News
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
UK PM Starmer recalls cabinet to discuss Gaza peace plan
LONDON: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will hold an emergency cabinet on Tuesday to discuss the situation in Gaza and a proposed peace plan as he comes under mounting pressure from his own party to recognize a Palestinian state. Starmer has taken the rare step of recalling his cabinet during the summer holidays to discuss how to deliver more humanitarian aid to Gaza. In a meeting with US President Donald Trump in Scotland on Monday, Starmer discussed the need for a ceasefire in Gaza and what he called the 'revolting' humanitarian crisis. Britain is working on the plan with France and Germany after a call between the leaders of the three countries last week. Starmer has not shared details of the plan, but over the weekend he compared the proposals to the 'coalition of the willing,' the international effort to support Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire in its war with Russia. Starmer's spokesman said he would discuss the plan with other international allies and countries in the Middle East. War has raged in Gaza between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas for the past 22 months. Israel has been facing growing international criticism, which its government rejects, over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. With warnings people in Gaza are facing starvation, growing numbers of lawmakers in Starmer's Labour Party want him to recognize a Palestinian state to put pressure on Israel. British foreign minister David Lammy will attend a United Nations conference in New York on Tuesday to urge support for a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. Successive British governments have said they will formally recognize a Palestinian state when the time is right, without ever setting a timetable or specifying the necessary conditions. The issue has come to the fore after President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday France would recognize Palestine as a state. Starmer has so far rejected plans to immediately recognize a Palestinian state, saying he was focused on 'practical solutions.' Last week, more than 200 British members of parliament from nine parties signed a letter Friday calling for an immediate recognition of a Palestinian state.
The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Starmer shares UK-led Gaza peace plans with Trump
Sir Keir Starmer has presented a UK-led peace plan for the Middle East to Donald Trump as he met the US president in Scotland. The Prime Minister started work on a plan with France and Germany over the weekend after an emergency call with the two countries' leaders, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz. His official spokesman had said earlier that he planned to share details with key allies, including Arab states, in the coming days. In a readout of his meeting with the US president, Downing Street said the two reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire to pave the way for peace. 'The Prime Minister welcomed the President's efforts to secure this, and shared the plans he is working on with other European leaders to bring about a lasting peace,' a No 10 spokesperson said. Sir Keir described the situation in Gaza as an 'absolute catastrophe' as he appeared alongside Mr Trump at his Turnberry golf course ahead of their talks. The British public is 'revolted' at scenes of desperation in the Palestinian territory, he said. As the pair faced the press, Mr Trump suggested the US would set up new food centres in Gaza without fences, after the current US-led arrangement had led to multiple killings of Palestinians. 'It's a humanitarian crisis, it's an absolute catastrophe,' the Prime Minister said of the situation in Gaza as he arrived in Ayrshire. He added: 'Nobody wants to see that. I think people in Britain are revolted at seeing what they're seeing on their screens, so we've got to get to that ceasefire.' Israel announced at the weekend that it would suspend fighting in three areas of Gaza for 10 hours a day and open secure routes for aid delivery, while the UK confirmed it was taking part in plans led by Jordan to airdrop aid into the territory. Speaking at his Ayrshire golf course, Mr Trump said: 'We're going to set up food centres, and we're going to do it in conjunction with some very good people.' He added: 'And other nations are joining us. I know your nation's joining us, and we have all of the European nations joining us, and others also called and they want to be helpful. 'So we're going to set up food centres where the people can walk in and no boundaries, we're not going to have fences.' Other nations are 'going to have to step up' when it comes to helping people in Gaza, the US President added. Hinting at sticking points in negotiations over a peace deal, Mr Trump said Palestinian militant group Hamas had become 'very difficult to deal with' in recent weeks, suggesting this was because they only held a small remaining number of Israeli hostages. Sir Keir has likened the plan he is working on with France and Germany to the coalition of the willing, the international effort to support Ukraine towards a lasting peace. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said the plan would build 'on the collaboration to date that paves the way to a long-term solution on security in the region'. He will also convene the Cabinet this week to discuss the crisis in the Middle East. There is no indication yet of which day this week the Cabinet meeting, which gathers together the Government's most senior ministers, will take place. The Prime Minister is meanwhile facing calls from a growing number of MPs to recognise a Palestinian state immediately. Palestinians have an 'inalienable right to statehood', and it is a 'question of when, not if' the UK will agree to recognition, No 10 said. More than 250 cross-party MPs have now signed a letter calling for ministers to take the step, up from 221 on Friday. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds earlier dismissed the idea that there is a split at the top of Government over when to recognise a Palestinian state. Health Secretary Wes Streeting is among those to have signalled a desire for hastened action, calling for recognition 'while there's still a state of Palestine left to recognise', while Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the Government wants to recognise a Palestinian state 'in contribution to a peace process'. Speaking to Good Morning Britain, Mr Reynolds said: 'There's no split. The whole of the Labour Party, every Labour MP, was elected on a manifesto of recognition of a Palestinian state, and we all want it to happen. 'It is a case of when, not if.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Starmer shares UK-led Gaza peace plans with Trump
Sir Keir Starmer has presented a UK-led peace plan for the Middle East to Donald Trump as he met the US president in Scotland. The Prime Minister started work on a plan with France and Germany over the weekend after an emergency call with the two countries' leaders, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz. His official spokesman had said earlier that he planned to share details with key allies, including Arab states, in the coming days. In a readout of his meeting with the US president, Downing Street said the two reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire to pave the way for peace. 'The Prime Minister welcomed the President's efforts to secure this, and shared the plans he is working on with other European leaders to bring about a lasting peace,' a No 10 spokesperson said. Sir Keir described the situation in Gaza as an 'absolute catastrophe' as he appeared alongside Mr Trump at his Turnberry golf course ahead of their talks. The British public is 'revolted' at scenes of desperation in the Palestinian territory, he said. As the pair faced the press, Mr Trump suggested the US would set up new food centres in Gaza without fences, after the current US-led arrangement had led to multiple killings of Palestinians. 'It's a humanitarian crisis, it's an absolute catastrophe,' the Prime Minister said of the situation in Gaza as he arrived in Ayrshire. He added: 'Nobody wants to see that. I think people in Britain are revolted at seeing what they're seeing on their screens, so we've got to get to that ceasefire.' Israel announced at the weekend that it would suspend fighting in three areas of Gaza for 10 hours a day and open secure routes for aid delivery, while the UK confirmed it was taking part in plans led by Jordan to airdrop aid into the territory. Speaking at his Ayrshire golf course, Mr Trump said: 'We're going to set up food centres, and we're going to do it in conjunction with some very good people.' He added: 'And other nations are joining us. I know your nation's joining us, and we have all of the European nations joining us, and others also called and they want to be helpful. 'So we're going to set up food centres where the people can walk in and no boundaries, we're not going to have fences.' Other nations are 'going to have to step up' when it comes to helping people in Gaza, the US President added. Hinting at sticking points in negotiations over a peace deal, Mr Trump said Palestinian militant group Hamas had become 'very difficult to deal with' in recent weeks, suggesting this was because they only held a small remaining number of Israeli hostages. Sir Keir has likened the plan he is working on with France and Germany to the coalition of the willing, the international effort to support Ukraine towards a lasting peace. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said the plan would build 'on the collaboration to date that paves the way to a long-term solution on security in the region'. He will also convene the Cabinet this week to discuss the crisis in the Middle East. There is no indication yet of which day this week the Cabinet meeting, which gathers together the Government's most senior ministers, will take place. The Prime Minister is meanwhile facing calls from a growing number of MPs to recognise a Palestinian state immediately. Palestinians have an 'inalienable right to statehood', and it is a 'question of when, not if' the UK will agree to recognition, No 10 said. More than 250 cross-party MPs have now signed a letter calling for ministers to take the step, up from 221 on Friday. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds earlier dismissed the idea that there is a split at the top of Government over when to recognise a Palestinian state. Health Secretary Wes Streeting is among those to have signalled a desire for hastened action, calling for recognition 'while there's still a state of Palestine left to recognise', while Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the Government wants to recognise a Palestinian state 'in contribution to a peace process'. Speaking to Good Morning Britain, Mr Reynolds said: 'There's no split. The whole of the Labour Party, every Labour MP, was elected on a manifesto of recognition of a Palestinian state, and we all want it to happen. 'It is a case of when, not if.'
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Keir Starmer shares Europe-led Gaza peace plan with Donald Trump
Sir Keir Starmer has presented a European-led peace plan for Gaza to Donald Trump, during a meeting in Scotland with the US follows a call with leaders of France and Germany over the weekend after US-led peace talks broke down last week, Downing Street emergency UK cabinet meeting will be held this week to discuss the plans as well as aid efforts in Gaza, after warnings of mass starvation in the comes amid renewed international and domestic pressure on the prime minister to immediately recognise Palestinian statehood. Downing Street has not given details of the peace plan, promising the "next steps" would be set out after this week's cabinet meeting, a date for which is yet to be earlier, a spokesman for Sir Keir said the proposals would also be presented to allies, including Arab states, over the coming days. In an article over the weekend, the prime minister likened the plans to the proposed "coalition of the willing" to support any potential deal to end the war in comes after the US and Israel withdrew their negotiating teams from Qatar on Thursday, with Trump saying Hamas "didn't really want to make a deal" and Israel saying it would "alternative options" to free Monday, Sir Keir's spokesman said the UK, France and Germany were working on proposals to "deliver immediate relief to those on the ground".The plans "build on the collaboration to date" between the three countries and would also "set out a pathway to peace and a sustainable route to a two-state solution," the spokesman added. However, Trump suggested that getting aid into Gaza is his focus, before discussing future peace plans."Before we get to phase two, which is what's going to happen afterwards, we want to get the children fed," he told reporters during his meeting with Starmer. MP Palestine pressure Sir Keir's spokesman also told reporters the Palestinian right to statehood was "inalienable", and it was a "question of when, not if" the UK will agree to recognition. It comes after 255 MPs signed a letter calling for the government to immediately recognise Palestine as a state - up from 221 on includes 147 Labour MPs - more than half the party's letter came after President Macron announced France intends to recognise Palestinian statehood in the coming months. At a press conference at Trump Turnberry, both Trump and Sir Keir agreed on the need for more aid to into World Health Organization (WHO) has warned malnutrition in Gaze has reached "alarming levels", with rates on a "dangerous trajectory", as aid airdrops resumed in the joined a weekend aid drop into Gaza, flying supplies in through Jordan as Israel paused its military announced at the weekend that it would suspend fighting in three areas of Gaza for 10 hours a day, and open secure routes for aid ahead of his meeting with Trump, Sir Keir described "images of starving children" in Gaza as "revolting".At the meeting, both leaders "agreed that urgent action was needed to bring an end to the suffering" in Gaza, Downing Street said. 'Unpredictable' Trump Going into the meeting, Trump suggested the US would set up new food centres in Gaza without fences, after almost daily reports of Palestinians being killed while waiting for food under the current US-led president blamed Hamas for stalling peace talks, saying the group had become "very difficult to deal with" and accusing it of stealing aid from Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey warned the prime minister against accepting "warm words" from an "unpredictable" US president. "In both Ukraine and the Middle East the situation is utterly intolerable, and the prime minister needs to work with our allies to put a proper plan in place, so that we can lead even if Donald Trump continues to refuse to act," Sir Ed said. The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken least 59,821 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletter to keep up with the inner workings of Westminster and beyond.
