Heated clash between Britain’s prime minister and Israel’s president — here’s why
Al-Khamisa News Network - Gaza
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said a dispute erupted between him and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the UK government headquarters in London on Wednesday during a “difficult” meeting that addressed deep disagreements over their countries’ recent conduct, British media reported.
Herzog told a later meeting at Chatham House: “Things were said that were harsh and strong, and of course we can argue, because when allies meet they can argue. We are both democracies.”
He added that “Starmer’s plan to establish a Palestinian state and his views on humanitarian aid in Gaza were at the heart of the disagreement,” and said he had invited the British government to send a fact‑finding mission to Israel.
Starmer’s office said the prime minister urged Herzog to change course on Gaza, expressed deep concern about the humanitarian crisis, and urged Israel to allow aid to enter and to halt offensive operations.
It reaffirmed that Britain and Israel are long‑standing allies, reiterating his commitment to work for a lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Starmer also raised with Herzog an Israeli air strike on Qatar, condemning the incident as “completely unacceptable.”
A government spokesman said Starmer had said “the strikes are a blatant violation of the sovereignty of a key partner and do nothing to secure the peace we all so desperately want.”
Starmer is under pressure from politicians in his party to take a tougher stance toward Israel, but he told parliament on Wednesday that diplomacy is needed to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli detainees held by Hamas, according to Reuters.
Asked on Wednesday why he had met Herzog, Starmer said: “I will not give up on diplomacy; that would be an immature policy.”
Wes Streeting, who serves as health secretary in Starmer’s government, said this week that “the way Israel is conducting the war in Gaza is leading it to become a pariah.”
Britain had pledged to recognise a Palestinian state before the United Nations General Assembly meets this month unless Israel meets four conditions, including ending the war in Gaza and allowing more humanitarian aid into the Palestinian territory.
Israel’s government was angered by Britain’s plan—alongside several other Western countries, including France and Canada—to recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel meets conditions that include a ceasefire in Gaza.
