At the high-stakes Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer found himself in an unexpectedly awkward position literally. Cameras caught him standing in line behind world leaders waiting to shake hands with US President Donald Trump, a moment that many observers saw as a symbol of Britain’s diminished influence on the world stage.
The summit, hosted by Trump following a landmark ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, brought together leaders from over 30 nations, including Egypt’s Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The event was hailed by Trump as “a once-in-a-lifetime chance to end generations of conflict.”
Trump’s “Riviera of the Middle East” Vision
During the summit, Trump celebrated the release of all 20 remaining Israeli hostages and outlined the first phase of his peace plan increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, partial Israeli troop withdrawals, and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Buoyed by chants of “Trump, the Peace President” during his earlier visit to the Israeli Knesset, the former U.S. President projected confidence, declaring that Gaza could soon become “the Riviera of the Middle East.”
Starmer’s Pitch for a British Role
Despite the optics, Sir Keir tried to assert Britain’s relevance in post-conflict reconstruction and peace monitoring. “The United Kingdom can play a part in monitoring the ceasefire and helping decommission Hamas’s weapons,” he said, referencing Britain’s peace-building experience in Northern Ireland.
His remarks were met with polite nods from other delegates, but it was clear that Trump favored a US-led oversight, with 200 American troops set to support a multinational monitoring team. Britain, for now, remains in a secondary role.
Tony Blair and the “Peace Board” Question
Reporters later pressed Starmer about rumors that he or former Prime Minister Tony Blair could be appointed to Trump’s proposed Gaza Peace Board. Starmer avoided committing, saying, “There are discussions about who should be on the board, but I haven’t put myself forward for that role.”
Instead, he emphasized Britain’s contribution “behind the scenes” helping broker the ceasefire and offering expertise in monitoring and decommissioning efforts.
A Symbolic Moment for the UK
For many watching, the image of Keir Starmer waiting in line while Trump commanded the stage captured the shifting balance of power in global diplomacy. Once seen as a major player in Middle Eastern peace efforts, the UK now finds itself navigating a more modest supporting role in what Trump has branded a “historic peace for a new era.”
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