Sir Keir Starmer will meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog in the UK today, just one day after condemning Israel's strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar. The Prime Minister called Israel's attack "a flagrant violation of Qatar's sovereignty" that risks fuelling further escalation in the Middle East.
The Israeli military targeted top Hamas figures in Doha on Tuesday as they gathered to discuss a US proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza. The strike killed five lower-level Hamas members and a Qatari security officer, according to Hamas officials.
Diplomatic condemnation
Starmer told Qatar's Emir in a phone call on Tuesday evening that Israel's action "represents a flagrant violation of Qatar's sovereignty and risks fuelling further escalation when the focus should be ending the devastating cycle of violence in the region". He gave his condolences for the death of the Qatari security officer killed in the attack.
The Prime Minister also praised Qatar's "indispensable role" in trying to reach a ceasefire and welcomed the Emir's determination to continue with peace talks. US President Donald Trump's press secretary said Israel's bombing on the territory of a US ally "does not advance Israel or America's goals".
Gaza focus for meeting
Starmer's spokesman said the Prime Minister will raise "the intolerable situation in Gaza" and "the action Israel must take to end the horrific suffering we're witnessing" during Wednesday's meeting with Herzog. The spokesman emphasised that "it cannot go on any longer".
Number 10 underlined Starmer's "revulsion" at the suffering in Gaza but did not repeat Health Secretary Wes Streeting's calls for Herzog to answer for alleged war crimes. Streeting said on Tuesday that Herzog needs to explain how Israel can achieve its aims in Gaza "without genocide".
Ceremonial role clarification
Herzog's role as Israeli president is largely ceremonial, and he comes from a different political party to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. While he has not always seen eye-to-eye with Netanyahu, Herzog has largely supported war efforts in Gaza.
The UK Government has stopped short of accusing Israel of genocide, saying it has not concluded that Netanyahu's government is acting with the "intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group".
Protests and criticism
Hundreds of pro-Palestine protesters gathered on Whitehall opposite Downing Street on Tuesday evening ahead of Herzog's visit. One protester carried a sign reading "Isaac Herzog genocide defender not welcome here!" while others chanted "say it loud, say it clear, Isaac is not welcome here".
Independent MP Jeremy Corbyn said Herzog should be in The Hague rather than on "a flight to London". The former Labour leader said the Government was "welcoming" Herzog to the UK, adding: "He shouldn't be on a flight to London, he should be on a flight to Amsterdam and from there to the Hague".
Palestinian dialogue
On Monday night, Starmer hosted Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas in Downing Street. Abbas welcomed Starmer's pledge to recognise a Palestinian state ahead of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York later this month if Israel does not change course.
Both leaders agreed there will be "absolutely no role" for Hamas in the future governance of Palestine, according to a Downing Street spokesman.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
