Lammy and Starmer cosy up to the Palestinian Authority

Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host Mohammad Mustafa, the Palestinian Authority’s leader, in what will be the first official visit from a Palestinian Authority figure since 2021.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy will join the meeting, where they’ll roll out a massive £101 million aid package focused on humanitarian support, economic growth, and government reforms for Palestinians.

Starmer and Lammy will sign an agreement with Mustafa, stressing their support for a two state solution, with Gaza and the West Bank united under the Palestinian Authority, which they see as the only legitimate government for the Palestinian territories. The deal will also nod to the Authority’s plans to keep pushing for reforms.

This comes after the UK turned down a proposal last month to formally recognize a Palestinian state, even though some Labour Party members backed it. Starmer’s team made it clear they’re committed to a two state solution as the best long term fix for both Palestinians and Israelis, with plans to recognize a Palestinian state down the road to help make that happen.

Lammy called the visit a big step in building stronger ties with the Palestinian Authority. “We’re not giving up on the idea of a Palestinian state living peacefully alongside Israel, with both sides having security and dignity,” he said. He also stressed that Hamas has no place in Gaza’s future.

The last time a Palestinian Authority leader visited the UK was in 2021, when Mohammad Shtayyeh attended the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow.