Palestinians ‘must’ live in Gaza and West Bank, Lammy says

The UK government has distanced itself from Donald Trump’s suggestion Palestinians could be relocated and Gaza developed into a “Riviera of the Middle East”.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “We’ve always been clear in our belief that we must see two states. We must see Palestinians live and prosper in their homelands in Gaza and the West Bank.”

Mr Trump laid out his plans for the Middle East in a news conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.

The US president called Gaza a “demolition site” and said the two million people who live there could go to “various domains”.

He did not rule out sending US troops to the region, and said the US would “develop” Gaza and create “thousands and thousands of jobs”.

Mr Trump suggested that Palestinians could be relocated to Egypt and Jordan. Both countries, other Arab nations and Palestinian leader have all opposed this move.

Saudi Arabia quickly released a statement rejecting any attempt to move Palestinians out of Gaza.

Mr Trump said: “Everybody I’ve spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land, developing and creating thousands of jobs.”

It would be the “Riviera of the Middle East”, he added.