UK Labour MPs Urge Government to Avoid Meeting Israeli President
MPs from the UK's ruling Labour Party call on ministers to boycott meetings with Israeli President Isaac Herzog during his upcoming visit to London.
LONDON: The visit of Israel's President Isaac Herzog to the United Kingdom next week has sparked debate within the UK’s political landscape, particularly among members of Parliament from the ruling Labour Party.
These MPs have urged government ministers to refrain from meeting with Herzog due to concerns over Israel’s treatment of Palestinians and recent diplomatic tensions.
Herzog is scheduled to spend two days in the UK; however, there has been no official confirmation regarding any potential meetings between him and the Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office.
The relationship between the UK and Israel remains strained following Starmer's pledge to recognize a Palestinian state if certain conditions, including a ceasefire in Gaza, are not met.
The British government has taken significant diplomatic measures against Israel.
Notably, there have been indications that if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were to enter the UK, he might be detained due to an International Criminal Court warrant for his arrest on allegations of war crimes.
Additionally, sanctions have been imposed on two Israeli politicians deemed extreme, and around 30 arms export licenses to Israel have been suspended by Foreign Secretary David Lammy over fears that the equipment could be used to commit war crimes in Gaza.
Criticism from Labour MPs has been vocal.
Sarah Champion MP, chair of the Commons’ International Development Committee, voiced her concerns on social media platform X, stating that the UK has recognized the ‘real risk’ of genocide by Israel and questioned the message being sent if a meeting with Herzog proceeds without focusing on peace efforts.
John McDonnell MP, the former Labour shadow chancellor, expressed his dismay at the decision to allow Herzog to visit.
He accused Israel of systematically killing Palestinian children, emphasizing that the prime minister appears tone-deaf to the plight of Palestinians and the widespread revulsion towards Israeli actions.
Another Labour MP, Clive Lewis, noted that while dialogue is important, meeting with Herzog could be seen as a political statement in light of his previous legitimization of collective punishment against Palestinians.
He referred to language from Herzog that could potentially violate the genocide convention.
Criticism extends beyond the Labour Party; Calum Miller, the Liberal Democrats’ foreign affairs spokesperson, called on Starmer to unequivocally demand an end to suffering in Gaza through a ceasefire during his meeting with Herzog.
Former Labour MP Zarah Sultana referred to the Labour Party as 'The Genocide Party' and expressed her disgust over potential meetings with Herzog, adding that he should face arrest for war crimes upon entering the UK.
In contrast, Trade Minister Douglas Alexander defended the idea of engaging with Herzog despite disagreements.
He stated that diplomacy requires meeting with those one disagrees with and emphasized the need to address the suffering in Gaza through dialogue, which could potentially lead to a two-state solution.
His views were echoed by Emily Thornberry MP, chair of the Commons’ Foreign Affairs Committee, who argued for continued efforts to engage Herzog in political discussions aimed at ending the conflict.
These MPs have urged government ministers to refrain from meeting with Herzog due to concerns over Israel’s treatment of Palestinians and recent diplomatic tensions.
Herzog is scheduled to spend two days in the UK; however, there has been no official confirmation regarding any potential meetings between him and the Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office.
The relationship between the UK and Israel remains strained following Starmer's pledge to recognize a Palestinian state if certain conditions, including a ceasefire in Gaza, are not met.
The British government has taken significant diplomatic measures against Israel.
Notably, there have been indications that if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were to enter the UK, he might be detained due to an International Criminal Court warrant for his arrest on allegations of war crimes.
Additionally, sanctions have been imposed on two Israeli politicians deemed extreme, and around 30 arms export licenses to Israel have been suspended by Foreign Secretary David Lammy over fears that the equipment could be used to commit war crimes in Gaza.
Criticism from Labour MPs has been vocal.
Sarah Champion MP, chair of the Commons’ International Development Committee, voiced her concerns on social media platform X, stating that the UK has recognized the ‘real risk’ of genocide by Israel and questioned the message being sent if a meeting with Herzog proceeds without focusing on peace efforts.
John McDonnell MP, the former Labour shadow chancellor, expressed his dismay at the decision to allow Herzog to visit.
He accused Israel of systematically killing Palestinian children, emphasizing that the prime minister appears tone-deaf to the plight of Palestinians and the widespread revulsion towards Israeli actions.
Another Labour MP, Clive Lewis, noted that while dialogue is important, meeting with Herzog could be seen as a political statement in light of his previous legitimization of collective punishment against Palestinians.
He referred to language from Herzog that could potentially violate the genocide convention.
Criticism extends beyond the Labour Party; Calum Miller, the Liberal Democrats’ foreign affairs spokesperson, called on Starmer to unequivocally demand an end to suffering in Gaza through a ceasefire during his meeting with Herzog.
Former Labour MP Zarah Sultana referred to the Labour Party as 'The Genocide Party' and expressed her disgust over potential meetings with Herzog, adding that he should face arrest for war crimes upon entering the UK.
In contrast, Trade Minister Douglas Alexander defended the idea of engaging with Herzog despite disagreements.
He stated that diplomacy requires meeting with those one disagrees with and emphasized the need to address the suffering in Gaza through dialogue, which could potentially lead to a two-state solution.
His views were echoed by Emily Thornberry MP, chair of the Commons’ Foreign Affairs Committee, who argued for continued efforts to engage Herzog in political discussions aimed at ending the conflict.
