Stepping up before the meetings in New York would allow Downing Street to earn additional credit with Labour MPs and members, who generally support the Palestinian cause, while also aligning with other nations expected to commit at the France-led summit.
Emily Thornberry, chair of the Commons foreign affairs committee and a Labour MP, stated, “I’ve been waiting 15 years for this … I’m really happy that it’s going to finally happen, and it doesn’t really matter what day it is.”
Richard Gowan, U.N. director at Crisis Group, noted that a collective move offers “safety in numbers,” reducing the likelihood of U.S. retribution, and remarked, “I am not sure the U.K. wins or loses very much reputationally depending on the exact order.”
Recognition was a notable point of difference between Starmer and Trump during an otherwise agreeable state visit, with Trump highlighting it as “one of our few disagreements” at their joint press conference.
However, Trump did not criticize Starmer and even showed support as the British PM condemned Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Preparations for the occasion are underway for Monday, with Husam Zumlot, Head of Palestinian Mission to the U.K., overseeing a flag-raising ceremony in London, according to someone familiar with the preparations.
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