JD Vance Questions UK’s Palestinian State Recognition Plan in Meeting with David Lammy

US Vice President JD Vance questioned the UK’s plan to recognise a Palestinian state during talks with Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

The UK has pledged to formally recognise Palestine in September unless Israel meets specified conditions.

President Donald Trump has ruled out recognition, arguing it would reward Hamas.

The two discussed differences over the Gaza conflict at Chevening House in Kent.

Vance said, "We have no plans to recognise a Palestinian state. I don’t know what that would mean given the absence of a functional government there."

He added that the US aims to eradicate Hamas to protect Israeli civilians and address Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.

Lammy expressed concern over Israel’s intentions to expand operations in Gaza and called for a ceasefire and the release of hostages.

Vance praised his friendship with Lammy and emphasised the importance of UK-US cooperation for global peace.

The pair went carp fishing near the 17th-century house; Vance said his children caught fish while the foreign secretary did not.

Discussions also covered criticisms Vance has made about free-speech issues in Western democracies and concerns over potential US policy trends under the current administration.

They reviewed the war in Ukraine and the prospect of talks between Presidents Trump and Putin, with Lammy insisting on a ceasefire as a precondition for negotiations.

The visit follows President Trump’s recent trip to Scotland and meetings with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, ahead of a full UK state visit in September.

Vance underlined that the US will not recognise Palestinian statehood without effective governance and stressed the need to defeat Hamas while addressing Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.

This topic was reported by BBC.

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