Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned Israel’s military strike on Qatar, calling it a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and a risk to regional stability. The strike, which targeted Hamas leaders in Doha, occurred ahead of Starmer’s scheduled meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in London on Wednesday.
In a statement, Starmer said: “The priority must be an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages and a huge surge in aid into Gaza. This is the only solution towards long-lasting peace.” Downing Street denied any prior knowledge of the attack, describing it as an “entirely independent operation”, while the US confirmed it had been informed in advance.
Starmer spoke with Qatar’s Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on Tuesday night, reiterating his condemnation and describing the strike as a “flagrant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty”. The meeting with Herzog is expected to address both the strike on Qatar and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The visit has drawn criticism from some Labour backbenchers and opposition MPs, who argue it sends an ambiguous message about the UK’s stance on the war. Sixty MPs and peers have called for Herzog to be denied entry, citing risks of complicity in genocide. Downing Street has previously indicated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces arrest if he travels to the UK following an ICC warrant, but Herzog, who holds a ceremonial role, is not subject to the same warrant.
Herzog has previously faced controversy for stating that all Palestinians were “unequivocally” responsible for the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023. That remark was cited in an International Court of Justice order in January 2024, which found that the right of Palestinians to be protected from genocide was at “imminent risk”. Herzog has claimed his statement was misrepresented. His current visit is the first by a senior Israeli leader since Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s trip in spring.
