Starmer hosts Palestinian PM at Downing Street as UK announces £100m aid package and renewed push for ceasefire
29 April 2025, 00:24
Sir Keir Starmer has announced a package of support for the Palestinian Territories as he hosted the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority.
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At the meeting in Downing Street, Starmer told Muhammad Mustafa that the UK "does not support the resumption in hostilities" in Gaza, which "are in nobody's interests".
He also announced a support package, which will include £101 million for humanitarian relief, economic development and governance and reform.
The Prime Minister told Mustafa it was important to "return to a ceasefire as quickly as possible" and to get "humanitarian aid in at speed and at volume".
He also reaffirmed the UK's support for the two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, which would involve the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.
Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected calls for a two-state solution, instead claiming Israel needs to control all of the land 'west of the Jordan river' for its security.
However, the two-state solution is backed by the US, the UK and United Nations. Starmer told Mustafa it is "the only long-term, lasting solution" and said that it 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," Starmer added.
Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy's meeting with Mohammad Mustafa is the first such official visit since 2021.
Starmer also emphasised the situation in the West Bank, where he said "unlawful settlement and violence is of deep concern."
Israeli settlers have been regularly attacking Palestinians in the West Bank under the protection of the Israeli army as the level of settler violence has skyrocketed since the start of the war on Gaza in October 2023.
According to the United Nations, 2024 has seen the most incidents of settler violence since its records began.
Discussing the Arab Plan for Gaza, the Prime Minister shared the UK's support for the Palestinian Authority's reform programme, which he said is critical.
"The leaders agreed that a strategic political framework will be necessary as part of the implementation of a two-state solution, and that Hamas must have no role in Gaza's governance," Downing Street said.
"They both agreed that the UK would continue to work closely with the Palestinian Authority and regional partners to find a constructive way forward, and deliver lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike. The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon."
The Palestinian Authority, which controls parts of the Occupied West Bank, has become deeply unpopular among Palestinians living in the Territories.
This is largely because of its failure to protect the population from settler attacks, as well as repeated crackdowns on dissent against its rule.
But Mustafa said he hoped the region would be able to overcome its "many challenges" with the help of partners like the UK.
Speaking to Keir Starmer at Downing Street, Mustafa said: "As you said many challenges today in the region. We hope working with partners like yourselves we will be able to overcome this."
"These are very difficult but I think it was a reminder that we need to deal with the root problem of all of this, which is the absence of the implementation of the two-state solution.
"So we look forward to working with you on this and we want to take this opportunity to thank you for all the support - financial, economic, humanitarian support, but also the support you're providing for our reforms agenda which is important for us."
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: "This visit marks a significant step in strengthening our relationship with the Palestinian Authority – a key partner for peace in the Middle East – at a critical moment.
"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."
