KEIR Starmer is set to host the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority for the first official visit since 2021.
The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary David Lammy will meet Mohammad Mustafa and unveil a support package including £101 million of humanitarian relief, economic development and governance and reform.
Lammy and Mustafa will also sign a memorandum of understanding outlining their commitment to advancing Palestinian statehood as part of a two-state solution.
A proposed law requiring the UK to recognise a Palestinian state was rejected by the UK Government just last month.The bill had been backed by several peers, including calls from some on the Labour benches for immediate change and a need to “move beyond the slogan of a two-state solution”.
Starmer claims he will show "steadfast support" for Palestine when he hosts Mustafa.
It comes as Israeli strikes in Gaza overnight into Monday killed at least 27 Palestinians, including one Palestinian hostage released by Israel during the ceasefire.
The document signed by Lammy and Mustafa is set to stress the importance of reunifying Gaza and the West Bank under the the Palestinian Authority, saying it is the only legitimate governing entity in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
It will also underscore the Palestinian Authority’s commitment to prioritise delivering its reform agenda.
At the meeting they will discuss the UK’s “steadfast support” of the Palestinian Authority and its plans for reform as well as the UK’s support of the Palestinian people “at a critical moment”, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said.
He reiterated the UK Government’s commitment to a two-state solution as “the only long-term, lasting solution” and said that that also applies to Gaza.
“This visit will reaffirm the UK’s commitment to recognising a Palestinian state in the future as a contribution to that process.”
The Foreign Secretary said the visit marks a “significant step” in strengthening the UK’s relationship with the Palestinian Authority.
Lammy said: “The UK is clear that there can be no role for Hamas in the future of Gaza and we are committed to working with the Palestinian Authority as the only legitimate governing entity in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
“We will not give up on the two-state solution, with a Palestinian state and Israel living side-by-side in peace, dignity and security.
“I reaffirm the UK’s commitment to recognising a Palestinian state as a contribution to that process, at a time that has the greatest impact.”
The last visit to the UK from a Palestinian Authority prime minister was when Mohammad Shtayyeh travelled to Glasgow in 2021 for the COP26 climate conference.
