Trump: Pressuring Israel ‘rewards Hamas,’ but UK and France can have their own opinions

By Jacob Magid

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29 July 2025, 9:06 pm

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Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

US President Donald Trump (R) and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) talk as they arrive at Trump's estate in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire, northeast Scotland, on July 28, 2025. (Jane Barlow/Pool/AFP)

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday says he and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer did not discuss Britain’s newly announced plan to recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel ends the fighting in Gaza and takes a number of steps to improve life for Palestinians.

“It was never really discussed… We have no view on that,” Trump, who hosted Starmer at his Scottish golf course on Monday, tells reporters on board Air Force One.

He is then pressed on whether pressure for a long-term solution should be placed on Israel.

“You could make a case that you’re rewarding Hamas if you do that. I don’t think they should be rewarded. I’m not in that camp,” Trump responds.

Still, he avoids criticizing Starmer or French President Emmanuel Macron, who announced last week that he would recognize a Palestinian state in September.

“That’s [Macron’s] opinion. He can have an opinion,” Trump says. “I guess Starmer is doing the same thing as Macron, and that’s okay. It doesn’t mean I have to agree.”