Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faced a backlash from his own MPs after holding what was described as a “tough” meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog at Downing Street. The meeting, which took place amid protests calling for Herzog’s arrest over alleged war crimes in Gaza, saw Starmer condemn Israel’s recent strike in Doha as “completely unacceptable” and urge a change of course over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Speaking at the Chatham House thinktank after the meeting, Herzog acknowledged the exchanges were robust, saying: “It was a meeting between allies, but it was a tough meeting.” He defended Israel’s actions in Gaza, denying there was a famine and blaming Hamas for the high civilian death toll. He also rejected allegations of genocide, citing a UK report that he said cleared Israel of such charges.
Downing Street confirmed that Starmer pressed Herzog on the need to allow more aid into Gaza and to facilitate the evacuation of injured children and students to the UK. The meeting was condemned by several Labour MPs, with some describing Israel as a “rogue state”. The government defended the meeting as necessary to persuade Israel to change its approach.
Herzog criticised the UK’s intention to recognise a Palestinian state, calling it “dangerous” and counterproductive. He also dismissed calls from Health Secretary Wes Streeting for Israel to answer allegations of war crimes, and insisted that controversial remarks by Israeli cabinet members about expelling Palestinians do not reflect official policy.
Outside the venue, around 200 protesters gathered, chanting “lock him up” and demanding his arrest. One protester, law student Rachel, said it was “disgusting” that Herzog was granted a meeting with Starmer, adding that the government “knows that so much of the British public do not stand for this.”
