UK's Starmer meets Abbas

UK’s Starmer meets Abbas

Helen Corbett and David Hughes, PA

London — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has welcomed Mahmoud Abbas to Downing Street as the UK government continues steps towards recognizing a Palestinian state.

Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, welcomed Starmer’s pledge for recognition ahead of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York later this month if Israel does not change course.

Both leaders agreed there will be “absolutely no role” for Hamas in the future governance of Palestine, a Downing Street spokesperson said.

“They discussed the intolerable situation in Gaza, and the Prime Minister reiterated the need for an urgent solution to end the horrific suffering and famine – starting with an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and a huge surge in humanitarian aid.

“The Prime Minister outlined the UK’s ongoing work with its partners on a long-term solution, which both leaders agreed is the only way to bring about enduring peace and stability for both Palestinians and Israelis.

“The Prime Minister welcomed the president’s commitment to reform of the Palestinian Authority as a vital part of this work.”

The meeting came in the wake of Monday’s rush hour terror attack in Jerusalem.

Palestinian attackers opened fire on people at a bus stop, killing six and wounding another 12, according to Israeli officials.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was “horrified by the terrorist attack in Jerusalem.”

Abbas’s office issued a statement “condemning any targeting of Palestinian and Israeli civilians.”

Abbas arrived in London on Sunday night for a three-day visit.

He planned to use his talks with Starmer to push for an end to “the aggression, destruction and starvation being inflicted upon the Palestinian people,” his officials said.

Downing Street indicated that the government maintained its intention to recognize a Palestinian state later this month, ahead of the meeting of the United Nations general assembly.

The prime minister’s official spokesman said: “We continue to intend to recognize the state of Palestine before the UN general assembly, subject to the conditions that we set out.

“We’ve been very clear that Hamas will play no role in the future governance of Gaza or the West Bank, and must commit to disarmament.”

Starmer has previously set out that the UK will recognize a Palestinian state to support a two-state solution to the Middle East crisis.

He has indicated he will do that in the coming weeks unless the Israeli government takes “substantive” steps to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire and commit to a long-term, sustainable peace.

Starmer has also demanded that Hamas releases all the Israeli hostages it has taken, signs up to a ceasefire and disarms.