Israeli President Debates With British PM On Gaza Invasion To Recognition Of Palestinian State

JAKARTA - Israeli President Isaac Herzog argued with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Downing Street in a meeting to discuss dissent over the actions of each country recently.

The meeting came a day after Israel expanded its attacks on Hamas by launching airstrikes aimed at killing political leaders of the Islamist group in Qatar, Britain's Middle Eastern ally, condemned by Starmer.

Israel is furious with Britain's plans to join several other Western countries, including France and Canada, in recognizing the Palestinian state later this month unless Israel meets the requirements including a ceasefire in Gaza.

"The things that are conveyed are strong and firm, and obviously we can argue, because when allies meet, they can argue. We are both a democratic country," Herzog said at the Chatham House.

He said Starmer's plans for the Palestinian state and his views on humanitarian aid in Gaza were at the root of the dispute.

Herzog has invited the British government to carry out fact-finding missions to Israel.

The Starmer office said the British leader asked Herzog to change courses related to Gaza, expressed deep concern about the humanitarian crisis and urged Israel to allow the entry of aid and stop offensive operations.

Starmer reiterated Britain and Israel are old allies and said he remains committed to seeking lasting peace for Israel and Palestine.

Previously, the two men shook hands briefly without smiling on the Downing Street stairs before they entered the building.

Starmer also alluded to Israeli airstrikes against Qatar with Herzog, condemning the incident as "completely unacceptable."

"He said the attack was a flagrant violation of key partner sovereignty and did not guarantee the peace we desperately wanted," a Downing Street spokesman said.

The Gaza War has exacerbated Israel's relations with Britain and other European countries. Britain has banned Israeli officials from attending its biggest defense trade show that took place this week.

Starmer is under pressure from politicians in his own party to take a more assertive approach to Israel, but he told diplomacy parliament it was necessary to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and free the Israeli hostages by Hamas.

Herzog's role as Israel's president was largely ceremonial, but he sparked outrage when he said all Gazans were responsible for Hamas-led attacks on Israel following the October 7, 2023 attacks.

When asked earlier why he met Herzog, Starmer said: "I will not give up on diplomacy, it is student politics."

Wes Streeting, who serves as health minister in the Starmer administration, said Israel's handling of the war in Gaza had led it to "paria status".

Starmer also hosted Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday, in which they agreed "there would be absolutely no role" for Hamas in future Palestinian state governments.