British Labour Party parliamentarians appeal to UK government officials to avoid a meeting with the Israeli president
Israel's President Isaac Herzog is set to visit London next week, but the trip has sparked controversy among UK politicians.
Emily Thornberry MP, chair of the Commons' Foreign Affairs Committee, has encouraged efforts to engage with President Herzog, stating that the only solution to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is through politics and discussion. However, she noted that President Herzog is easier to talk to than many in the extreme right-wing Israeli government.
On the other hand, former Labour MP Zarah Sultana has expressed her disgust at President Herzog's upcoming visit, calling the Labour Party "The Genocide Party" and suggesting he should be arrested for war crimes upon arrival.
Calum Miller, the Liberal Democrats' foreign affairs spokesperson, has urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to call for an end to the suffering in Gaza during President Herzog's visit. MPs from the UK's Labour Party have also urged government ministers not to meet with Israel's president during his visit.
John McDonnell MP, former Labour shadow chancellor, expressed his appall at the decision to allow a representative of a government that is systematically killing Palestinian children on a daily basis to visit the UK. Sarah Champion MP, chair of the Commons' International Development Committee, posted that the UK has recognized the "real risk" of genocide perpetuated by Israel.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy suspended around 30 arms export licenses to Israel last year due to fears that the equipment would be used to commit war crimes in Gaza. However, his position on a potential meeting between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Israeli President Isaac Herzog is not explicitly detailed in the available sources.
Trade Minister Douglas Alexander emphasized the importance of diplomacy and engaging with politicians from across the region, despite strong views on the present conduct of the Israeli government. Clive Lewis MP stated that the act of meeting President Herzog could become a political statement due to his past statements legitimizing the collective punishment of Palestinians.
It is worth noting that Britain has imposed sanctions on two extremist Israeli politicians. Additionally, London has indicated that it will detain Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he enters the UK, following the International Criminal Court's issuance of a warrant for his arrest over allegations of war crimes.
Despite the controversy, it remains unclear if there will be a meeting between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Herzog during the latter's visit to London. The Prime Minister's office has not yet confirmed whether such a meeting will take place.
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