Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said Palestinians “must be allowed home”. (Image: PA/Getty)
Sir Keir Starmer has snubbed Donald Trump by insisting Palestinians “must be allowed home”.
US President had suggested the US could take ownership of the Gaza Strip.
The Prime minister told the Commons that Palestinians “must be allowed to rebuild, and we should be with them in that rebuild on the way to a two-state solution”.
His comments come after the US president suggested they could create the “Riviera of the Middle East”.
Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir said: “I have from the last few weeks, two images fixed in my mind: the first is the image of Emily Damari reunited with her mother, which I found extremely moving.
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“The second was the image of thousands of Palestinians walking – literally walking – through the rubble to try to find their homes and their communities in Gaza.
“They must be allowed home. They must be allowed to rebuild, and we should be with them in that rebuild on the way to a two-state solution.”
David Lammy also said “we must see Palestinians able to live and prosper in their homelands” after Mr Trump’s statement.
The Foreign Secretary’s comments came after the US president suggested he does not “think people should be going back” to Gaza.
Trump said: “You can’t live in Gaza right now. I think we need another location. I think it should be a location that’s going to make people happy.”
He also suggested the US could take ownership of the Gaza Strip and turn it into the “Riviera of the Middle East” in which the “world’s people” – including Palestinians – could live.
“We’ll make sure that it’s done world-class,” Mr Trump said. “It’ll be wonderful for the people – Palestinians, Palestinians mostly, we’re talking about.”
He commented as he held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, where the two leaders discussed the conflict.
Sir Keir has yet to meet President Trump since he became President last month, but the pair could clash over tariffs, Chagos, and previous comments made by Labour while in Opposition.