TURNBERRY, Scotland — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Donald Trump Monday that the people of Gaza face an “absolute catastrophe” and that Brits are “revolted” by what they see as he prepared for face-to-face talks with the U.S. president.
Starmer, who is being hosted at Trump’s Turnberry golf resort as the president visits Scotland, raised the crisis in the strip as he prepared for a bilateral with the U.S. president.
Speaking as Starmer and his wife Victoria arrived for talks, Trump was pressed by reporters on whether he agreed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s assessment that there is “no starvation” in Gaza.
The U.S. president rejected that characterization, saying: “Based on television, I would say not particularly, because those children look very hungry — but we’re giving a lot of money and a lot of food, and other nations are now stepping up.”
Starmer, who faces intense domestic pressure over Gaza, including from MPs in his own party, then chimed in to say: “It’s a humanitarian crisis. It’s an absolute catastrophe. Nobody wants to see that.
“And I think people in Britain are revolted at what they’re seeing on their screens.
“So we’ve got to get to that ceasefire. And thank you, Mr. President, for leading on that, and also to just get more and more aid in.”
Trump confirmed that the pair plan to discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza in their bilateral Monday afternoon.
The comments come after more than 200 British MPs from nine parties signed a letter Friday calling for an immediate recognition of a Palestinian state, arguing this would have a “significant impact due to our historic connections.” French President Emmanuel Macron upped the ante last week, as he committed France to such a move.
Though insisting statehood is the “inalienable right” of the Palestinian people, Starmer has so far resisted slapping a timeframe on such a move. He has said recognition will happen “at a time most conducive to the prospects of peace.”
Pressed on that stance, Trump said of Starmer: “I’m not going to take a position. I don’t mind him taking a position. I’m looking for getting people fed.”
This developing story is being updated. Noah Keate and Martin Alfonsin Larsen contributed from London.
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