Sir Keir Starmer has defended welcoming the Israeli president to Downing Road as MPs raised issues about permitting him into the UK.
Sir Keir began Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) by saying “however difficult, the UK must not walk away from a diplomatic solution” to the battle in Gaza.
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“We will negotiate and we will strain every sinew, because that is the only way to get the hostages out, to get aid in and to stop the killing,” he instructed MPs.
The PM mentioned he might be “absolutely clear that we condemn Israel’s action” in bombing Hamas leaders in Qatar, throughout his assembly with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday afternoon.
His go to comes only a day after Israel carried out the strike in Qatar.
The PM added that it will be the “politics of students” to not meet Mr Herzog after the SNP’s Westminster chief Stephen Flynn gave an impassioned speech in opposition to the Israeli president’s go to.
Mr Flynn mentioned: “Would he invite Vladimir Putin into No 10? Would he invite Benjamin Netanyahu into No 10?
“What does it say of this prime minister that he’ll harbour this man while kids starve?”
Picture:
Isaac Herzog is within the UK. File pic
He mentioned he “made clear” the UK’s intention to recognise a Palestinian state would “in no way help bring the hostages home, help the Palestinians, or help bring an end to the conflict” – however would as an alternative “embolden extremists”.
The president additionally instructed Sir Keir it was “dangerous” to “echo Hamas’s propaganda campaign of starvation in Gaza”.
MPs query Herzog go to
Dozens of MPs from all events, together with Labour, questioned the authorized standing of Sir Keir welcoming Mr Herzog.
The Israeli president beforehand mentioned there are “no innocent civilians in Gaza” and “it is an entire nation that is responsible”.
He was additionally pictured signing an artillery shell earlier than it was fired in direction of Gaza in December.
The prime minister’s spokesman mentioned the assault in Qatar is a “clearly unacceptable act” and mentioned it “of course” can be one of many topics raised with Mr Herzog.
He added Sir Keir might be “clear” with Mr Herzog in regards to the threat of Israel escalating its actions.
Handcuffs not handshakes
New Inexperienced Get together chief Zack Polanski known as for “handcuffs not handshakes” as he mentioned Scotland Yard’s battle crimes unit needs to be ready inside Quantity 10 to handcuff Mr Herzog “and take him away for questioning”.
Mr Polanski, who received the Greens management election final week and is Jewish, accused Mr Herzog of being “complicit while the Israeli government has engaged in committing genocide in Gaza”.
Picture:
Zack Polanski. Pic: PA
Israel has frequently denied it’s finishing up a genocide in Gaza, however final week, the world’s main affiliation of genocide students declared it’s. Earlier this week, the UK authorities concluded Israel isn’t committing genocide in Gaza.
Herzog is a conduit
The Liberal Democrats tabled an pressing query following PMQs, calling on the international secretary to make an announcement on the implications of Israel’s strike in Qatar.
Overseas Workplace minister Hamish Falconer took to the despatch field to defend Mr Herzog’s go to, saying: “President Herzog is on a private visit to the UK.
“He isn’t a useful a part of the federal government; he is a crucial conduit to lift these issues.”
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In full: Wednesday’s PMQs
Mr Falconer mentioned the UK is supporting a movement for an emergency assembly of the UN Safety Council on Wednesday night and revealed Overseas Secretary Yvette Cooper is talking to the E3 (UK, France and Germany) and G7 allies, together with the US about Israel’s assault on Qatar.
He added that Ms Cooper met Mr Herzog within the morning and “amongst other things” requested him to make sure larger assist from the Israeli authorities to get kids with accidents and college students out of Gaza.
As PMQs was going down, union members on the Trades Union Congress (TUC) convention unanimously handed a movement to oppose Mr Herzog’s go to.
On Tuesday night, 60 cross-party MPs and Lords gathered exterior parliament to sentence Mr Herzog’s go to after they despatched a letter to Sir Keir asking what authorized recommendation the federal government has obtained about Mr Herzog’s go to and whether or not his entry to the UK “is compatible with our obligations under the Genocide Convention”.
