By Andrew MacAskill and William James
LONDON (Reuters) -Israeli President Isaac Herzog arrived for talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Downing Avenue on Wednesday in what’s more likely to be a tense assembly, with each leaders planning to criticise one another nation’s latest behaviour.
The assembly comes a day after Israel expanded its assaults on Hamas by launching an airstrike aimed toward killing the Islamist group’s political leaders in Qatar, a British ally within the Center East, which Starmer condemned.
Starmer plans to lift with Herzog the Israeli airstrike on Qatar in addition to the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, his spokesperson stated.
The 2 males briefly shook fingers with out smiling on the steps of Downing Avenue earlier than they entered the constructing.
The Gaza conflict has strained Israel’s relations with Britain and different European nations. The Israeli authorities has been angered by Britain’s plan – together with a number of different Western nations together with France and Canada – to recognise a Palestinian state and to dam Israeli officers from attending its largest defence commerce present, which is going down this week.
Starmer is underneath strain from politicians in his personal occasion to take a harder strategy to Israel, however he informed parliament on Wednesday that diplomacy was wanted to realize a ceasefire in Gaza and to get the Israeli hostages launched by Hamas.
Herzog’s function as Israel’s president is principally ceremonial however he triggered anger when he stated all residents of Gaza have been accountable for the Hamas-led assault on Israel after the October 7 assaults in 2023.
Requested on Wednesday why he was assembly Herzog, Starmer stated: “I cannot hand over on diplomacy, that’s the politics of scholars.”
Wes Streeting, who’s well being minister in Starmer’s authorities, stated this week that Israel’s dealing with of the conflict in Gaza was main it to “pariah standing”.
PALESTINIAN STATE
Within the assembly, Herzog plans to “reject outright the positions introduced by the UK not too long ago”, together with Britain’s intention to recognise a Palestinian state, saying it will reward Hamas, in keeping with a press release from his workplace.
Herzog would additionally “specific protest” over Britain’s resolution in June to sanction far-right Israeli cupboard ministers, calling this resolution “unacceptable”.
Starmer additionally hosted Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday, the place they agreed there can be “completely no function” for Hamas sooner or later governance of a Palestinian state.
Britain has promised to recognise a Palestinian state forward of the U.N. Normal Meeting later this month except Israel meets 4 circumstances, together with ending the conflict in Gaza and permitting extra help into the Palestinian enclave.
(Reporting by Andrew MacAskillEditing by Gareth Jones)