In a spirited session of Prime Minister’s Questions this week, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer sharply contradicted President Donald Trump’s controversial vision for Gaza, asserting that Palestinians must be allowed to rebuild their homes and lives as part of a long-term two-state solution. His remarks came after the prime minister was pressed over the US president’s surprise announcement – made public by Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey – regarding Trump’s plan to remove Palestinians from Gaza and transform the territory into a “Riviera” of the Middle East.
During the heated exchange in the House of Commons, Sir Keir took a clear stance against what he described as an ill-conceived plan that would displace countless families. “The most important issue on the ceasefire is obviously that it is sustained – that we see it through the phases,” he said. “This means ensuring that the remaining hostages are released and that the desperately needed aid reaches Gaza at speed and in the volumes required. It also means recognising that Gazans must be allowed to rebuild their communities and their lives.”
Sir Keir recalled two poignant images that have come to symbolise the human cost of the conflict. “One image that has stayed with me is that of Emily Damari being reunited with her mother, a moment that was incredibly moving. The other image is of thousands of Palestinians, literally walking through the rubble, desperate to find remnants of their homes and communities in Gaza,” he said. “They must be allowed home. They must be allowed to rebuild, and we must stand with them throughout that process, on the road to a two-state solution.”
The prime minister’s response came amid growing international debate over the future of Gaza and the broader Middle Eastern peace process. While Foreign Secretary David Lammy also distanced himself from Trump’s rhetoric, emphasising the need for a balanced approach to resolving the crisis, Reform leader Nigel Farage offered a markedly different perspective at a press conference later in the day. Speaking to Sky News’ political correspondent Ali Fortescue, Farage lauded what he termed the US president’s “ambition” for Gaza. “The thought of a wealthy, wonderful, thriving place with well-paid jobs, casinos and vibrant nightlife – I think it sounds very appealing,” he remarked.
More Read
The debate over the future of aid to Palestinian refugees also took centre stage during Prime Minister’s Questions. Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice questioned whether funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) would be suspended, following revelations by Ms Emily Damari that she had been kept prisoner by Hamas in facilities operated by the agency. This question follows in the wake of President Trump’s recent decision to suspend funding to UNRWA – a move also enacted by the previous Conservative government. Tice asked, “Will the prime minister agree that we should stop funding Hamas, follow the example of other nations and divert our aid to other, more trustworthy agencies?”
In his response, Sir Keir was resolute. “I have spoken to Ms Damari’s mother on numerous occasions – even at times when she was in complete anguish not knowing whether her daughter was alive or not,” he said. He added emphatically, “But let me be absolutely clear: we are not funding Hamas – we never will. We condemn Hamas, and everybody in this House should condemn Hamas.” His words reaffirmed the UK government’s support for UNRWA, despite growing pressures from some quarters to reconsider the allocation of aid.
The contrasting views expressed in Parliament underscore the deep divisions over the Middle Eastern conflict. While Trump’s proposal to convert Gaza into a luxury destination has been met with widespread condemnation from several quarters, Sir Keir Starmer’s comments emphasise a commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people. For Starmer, the focus must remain on ensuring a sustainable ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the delivery of essential humanitarian aid, all of which are critical to the long-term prospects of peace and stability in the region.
