The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to a two-state solution and regional stability during a landmark visit by Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa — his first official visit to the UK since 2021.
In a high-profile diplomatic engagement aimed at revitalising the Middle East peace process, the United Kingdom hosted Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, marking his first official visit to Britain since 2021.
Hosted by British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy, the visit comes at a pivotal moment for the future of the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The leaders met in London on Monday to discuss bilateral cooperation, long-term peace in the Middle East, and the future of governance in Gaza and the West Bank.
Central to the visit was the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the UK and the Palestinian Authority. The agreement reinforces mutual commitment to achieving a two-state solution, with a secure Israel and a sovereign Palestinian state living side by side in peace. The MoU also recognises the Palestinian Authority (PA) as the only legitimate governing entity in the Occupied Territories — a clear stance by the UK in the face of Hamas’s ongoing control of Gaza.
In a joint declaration following the signing, both governments reiterated the urgent need for Palestinian unification under a reformed and empowered PA. The UK government used the occasion to call again for the immediate release of all hostages and for Hamas to relinquish control of Gaza, underscoring its position that there can be “no role” for the group in the region’s future.
To support these goals, the UK announced a £101 million aid package for the 2025–26 financial year. The funding will target humanitarian relief efforts, boost economic development, and help the PA deliver critical reforms in financial transparency, governance, and service delivery for Palestinian citizens.
Speaking after the meeting, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:
“This visit marks a significant step in strengthening our relationship with the Palestinian Authority – a key partner for peace in the Middle East – at a critical moment.
We will not give up on the two-state solution. We remain committed to working with the PA to help make a viable Palestinian state a reality, and we reaffirm our intention to recognise that state when it most effectively contributes to peace.”
Prime Minister Mustafa used the visit to outline the PA’s reform agenda, which includes improved governance structures, stronger anti-corruption measures, and enhanced public service delivery. These reforms, UK officials said, are essential for building international confidence and securing long-term international support for Palestinian self-determination.
The visit also complements broader diplomatic efforts. Lord Collins, the UK’s envoy to the United Nations, is due to represent the country at the UN Security Council’s Middle East Peace Process meeting this week, where he is expected to reaffirm Britain’s support for advancing peace through multilateral diplomacy.
This high-level engagement underscores the Starmer government’s wider Plan for Change, aimed at restoring the UK’s influence in global peacebuilding efforts post-Brexit. The UK sees its closer partnership with the PA not just as an act of international responsibility but also as a means of reinforcing its strategic interest in a stable, democratic, and peaceful Middle East.
While the path to peace remains complex and fraught with obstacles — from ongoing hostilities to political fragmentation — this visit reflects renewed momentum on the diplomatic front. With the UK positioning itself as a firm backer of Palestinian statehood and institutional reform, and with financial backing now secured, the groundwork is being laid for a more stable and hopeful chapter in the region.
