Israeli President Isaac Herzog met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street on Wednesday in a tense encounter, with both sides prepared to criticize each other’s actions.
The meeting came a day after Israel escalated its regional aggression by striking Doha, a close British ally in the Middle East, in an attack targeting political leaders of the group. Starmer condemned the strike and planned to press Herzog on the assault as well as the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, his office said.
The two men briefly shook hands on the steps of Downing Street, their strained expressions underscoring the chill in relations.
The war has severely tested Israel’s ties with Britain and other European powers. The Israeli government is angered by Britain’s plan — along with France, Canada and others — to recognize a Palestinian state and to bar Israeli officials from the country’s largest defense trade show this week.
Starmer, under pressure from within his Labour Party to toughen his stance on Israel, told parliament Wednesday that diplomacy was essential to achieve a cease-fire in Gaza and secure the release of hostages.
