UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – UK officials warn President Donald Trump may recognise Israeli West Bank settlements, risking the two-state solution after the UK and allies backed Palestine.
As reported by The Guardian, British officials warn Donald Trump may support Israeli control of West Bank settlements after the UK, France, and allies recognise Palestine.
What did UK insiders say about Trump backing West Bank settlements?
British insiders said Donald Trump may recognise Israeli settlements, threatening a two-state solution.
Some fear Mr Trump might raise Israeli settlements at the UN on Tuesday, despite diplomatic pressure from Arab and Western powers.
According to UK sources, some of Mr Trump’s allies have urged recognition of Israeli settlements, while Arab leaders oppose the move.
One insider added,
“As always with this president, it is difficult to know which way he will go but we are worried about what might happen.”
What did Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron say about Palestine recognition?
The UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, said Britain’s recognition of Palestine was taken “to revive the hope of peace and a two-state solution.”
During a meeting with Trump, Mr Starmer outlined reasons for recognising Palestine, and officials were pleased with the president’s calm response.
Emmanuel Macron, the French president, added “the time has come” for recognition, stating,
“It falls on us, this responsibility, to do everything in our power to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution.”
Before the UN General Assembly, several countries recognised Palestine, while the Trump administration called it “performative” but kept its policy unchanged. The move follows Israeli attacks on Gaza and rising West Bank tensions.
What are Israel’s plans for the E1 settlement and the West Bank?
Israel plans a new E1 settlement, which could split the West Bank, and far-right minister Bezalel Smotrich said it would ‘bury the idea of a Palestinian state.
Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu faces calls from his cabinet to partially or fully annex the West Bank, a move that could halt the creation of a single Palestinian state across the West Bank and Gaza.
He said he will not make a decision until speaking with Donald Trump next week at the White House.
Mr Trump has not commented much on West Bank growth, but allies push for support.
What did Mike Huckabee say about European recognition of Palestine?
Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, said last month,
“I don’t know what the Europeans thought they were going to accomplish [with Palestinian recognition], but by their actions, they’re accomplishing something that I don’t think they wanted to do, and that is to essentially to give a green light or encourage the Israelis to go ahead and take more pieces of Judea and Samaria [the West Bank], either by declaring sovereignty or annexation.”
What did Jared Kushner urge Trump regarding the two-state solution?
Sources said Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, is reportedly urging the president not to undermine the prospects of a two-state solution.
Last month, Mr Kushner hosted a White House meeting to discuss plans for a postwar Gaza, with former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair also in attendance.
According to a UK government source, Mr Blair’s plan would create a UN-led transitional authority in Gaza without displacing Palestinians.
Recognition of West Bank settlements could derail the plan, say Arab leaders, ahead of Tuesday’s private meeting with Trump.
Anwar Gargash’s views on annexation and the two-state solution
A diplomatic adviser to the United Arab Emirates, Anwar Gargash, stated,
“In these challenging times, the UAE sends a clear message: annexation is a red line and peace through a two-state solution must remain the path forward.”
The UAE played a key role in the Abraham Accords, signed in 2020 with US backing, following Israel’s decision to halt West Bank annexation.
Key facts about the Gaza-Israel war
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel. Around 1,200 Israelis were killed in the initial assault, with total Israeli deaths reaching 2,076, including civilians and soldiers.
Palestinian fatalities in Gaza are reported between 65,000 and 80,000, with many women and children among them. The violence has caused devastating losses on both sides.