UK PM Starmer hosts PA’s Abbas ahead of UN Palestine vote

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and PA President Mahmoud Abbas agreed that Hamas would have “no role” in Palestine’s future government.

By World Israel News Staff

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in London on Monday, just weeks before an expected UK vote at the United Nations General Assembly on recognizing a Palestinian state.

According to a statement from Starmer’s office, the two leaders discussed “the intolerable situation in Gaza,” with the prime minister stressing “the need for an urgent solution to end the horrific suffering and famine” in the Strip.

The statement notably failed to address Hamas’ ongoing role in the crisis. The terror group has been documented seizing humanitarian aid deliveries, reselling them to civilians at inflated prices, and even killing aid workers attempting to protect shipments from theft.

Downing Street said that Starmer and Abbas “both agreed there will be absolutely no role for Hamas in the future governance of Palestine.”

Starmer also “welcomed” a pledge from Abbas to enact reforms within the Palestinian Authority.

Polls show that Palestinians widely view the PA as irredeemably corrupt and ineffective, with many Palestinians saying they would prefer to be governed by Hamas instead.

Abbas, 88, has been in power since 2006 and has repeatedly canceled scheduled elections — moves critics say are aimed at clinging to power, as he would likely be unseated in any national vote.

The press statement added that the premier had highlighted “the UK’s ongoing work with its partners on a long-term solution, which both leaders agreed is the only way to bring about enduring peace and stability for both Palestinians and Israelis.”

In a letter last week, UK Foreign Minister David Lammy said the British government had determined Israel’s actions in Gaza did not constitute genocide.

“As per the Genocide Convention, the crime of genocide occurs only where there is specific ‘intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group,’” Lammy wrote. “The government has not concluded that Israel is acting with that intent.”