Liberal Democrats call for UN summit to be relocated to Geneva if Trump blocks Palestinians from attending

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Ed Davey and all Liberal Democrat MPs have written to Keir Starmer calling on him to push for next week’s UN Summit to be relocated to Geneva if President Trump continues to block Palestinian officials from attending.

The Trump administration has so far refused the Palestinian delegation visas, meaning they won’t be represented at next week’s UN General Assembly despite discussions set to take place on the recognition of the state of Palestine.

The Liberal Democrats called on the Prime Minister to raise the issue with President Trump when he lands in the UK this evening, adding that “Britain must show leadership and make sure Palestinians have a voice at the UN.” It comes after Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey met last week with the Palestinian Authority's President, Mahmoud Abbas.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey, said:

“President Trump has made the reckless decision to block Palestinian officials from attending the UN General Assembly, meaning Palestinians are shut out of the very place meant to deliver peace.

“Keir Starmer must raise this with Trump when he lands for the state visit this evening.

“Donald Trump cannot be allowed to block progress towards a two-state solution. Britain must show leadership and make sure Palestinians have a voice at the UN.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor

Please find the full text of the letter below: 

Tuesday 16 September 2025

Dear Prime Minister,

Thank you for your response over Recess to our July letters.

We welcomed the recommitment you made in your reply to recognising a state of Palestine at this month’s UN General Assembly Session.

Liberal Democrats still regret, though, that you have chosen to make this conditional on inaction by the Israeli Government to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, rather than to immediately and unconditionally recognise Palestine.

It remains our resolute view that recognition should not be seen as a bargaining chip - but, rather, as a principled means through which to reflect in law the self-determination of the Palestinian people. 

Since your letter, the humanitarian crisis across the Occupied Territories has only deepened. The government of Prime Minister Netanyahu has taken further actions through the assault on Gaza city and the commitment to settle the E1 territory in the West Bank. These steps deliberately threaten the very viability of a two-state solution - the only means through which to ensure a sustainable peace which delivers dignity and security for Palestinians and Israelis.

Last week, I and my party’s Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Calum Miller, met with the Palestinian Authority's President, Mahmoud Abbas. We spoke about the crisis in Gaza, the urgent need for aid to get through and the hostages released, as well as the vital democratic and governance reforms to the PA that need to take place.

We also discussed how important it is that the international community, including Britain, moves irreversibly towards recognising the state of Palestine.

And yet, at this crucial moment, President Trump has made the reckless decision to block Palestinian officials from attending the UN General Assembly. If Palestinians are shut out of the very place meant to deliver peace, progress is impossible.

Donald Trump is the one person who can influence Benjamin Netanyahu. It is bad enough that he has not acted on the commitment he made to you in Scotland to end the suffering in Gaza by picking up the phone to Netanyahu. Yet, as Netanyahu deliberately acts to make peace less likely, Trump has abused the US’s privilege to host the UN by refusing the Palestinian delegation visas.

President Trump will touch down in the UK this evening as he begins his State Visit.

When he does so, will you call on him publicly to reverse his decision to block the attendance of Palestinian officials at the UN?

And, if he refuses to act, will you step up and take the lead to ensure that Palestine can be represented - and call for the High-Level Summit on the 22nd September to be relocated to Geneva?

Donald Trump cannot be allowed to block progress towards a two-state solution. Britain must show leadership and make sure Palestinians have a voice at the UN.

We look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,

Ed Davey

Leader of the Liberal Democrats

Calum Miller

Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson