U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he does not agree with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the question of recognising a Palestinian state, following a bilateral meeting in which the two leaders discussed a potential peace roadmap for Israel and Palestine.
At a joint press appearance after talks, Starmer stressed that the leaders were “fully aligned on the need for a peace plan” and said the package they were discussing would aim to deliver a secure Israel and a sustainable Palestinian state. He added that hostages must be freed immediately and that teams from both countries are discussing recognition as part of a broader peace package.
President Trump, however, underlined his own priorities and flagged a clear divergence with the British prime minister on recognition. “I have a disagreement with Prime Minister Stermer on this issue — one of our few disagreements, in fact,” Trump said, while emphasising his interest in ending the conflict and securing the release of hostages. He described the conflict as “brutal” and insisted that stopping the fighting and returning hostages home are urgent priorities.
Both leaders framed the talks around an immediate humanitarian imperative in Gaza and a wider diplomatic push to achieve lasting peace. Starmer reiterated his belief that a negotiated roadmap — incorporating security guarantees for Israel and a viable path to statehood for Palestinians — is the route forward. Trump emphasised the need to bring hostages home and to end what he described as a longstanding cycle of violence.
The exchange highlighted a notable policy difference between two close allies at a moment when international attention is focused on urgent humanitarian and diplomatic efforts in the region.
