UK's Starmer hosts Israeli president for tense visit
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted Israeli President Isaac Herzog for a contentious meeting Wednesday, with the visiting head of state vowing to "voice firm opposition" to Britain's recent stance on Israel.
Herzog's visit comes after Starmer's government has in recent months toughened its criticism of how Israel is waging its war in Gaza, triggering pushback from Israeli leaders.
The pair shook hands in front of photographers and TV cameras in Downing Street, with few smiles on display, as the meeting got underway Wednesday afternoon.
"The President will express strong objections to the British government's intention to recognise a Palestinian state, and protest the notion of sanctions against the only democracy in the Middle East," Herzog's office said.
Starmer announced in late July his government would recognise a Palestinian state in mid-September unless Israel takes specific steps towards peace in Gaza.
It has also sanctioned Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich and national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
Rights groups and some UK lawmakers, including from the ruling centre-left Labour party, have said the government should not have allowed Herzog's visit to go ahead.
Amid criticism of Israel's strike against Hamas leaders in Qatar the previous day, Starmer told MPs earlier Wednesday he would make it "absolutely clear" that "we condemn Israel's action".
He also vowed to stress that "restrictions on aid must be lifted, the offensive in Gaza must stop, and settlement building must cease" in occupied Palestinian territories.
Starmer's government has also come under pressure from critics of Israel to say the country has committed genocide in its military campaign in Gaza.
Shouts of "stop the genocide" could be heard from a protester outside the Downing Street gates as Herzog arrived.
A protester threw a red smoke canister towards Herzog's convoy as it left. Police were seen detaining a person and removing the canister after the vehicles drove away.
London insisted this week it has not determined Israel is committing genocide, following the publication by a parliamentary watchdog committee of a September 1 letter by then-foreign secretary David Lammy.
It stated: "As per the Genocide Convention, the crime of genocide occurs only where there is specific 'intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group'.
"The Government has not concluded that Israel is acting with that intent."
Starmer's official spokesman has said that the letter -- written just prior to Lammy becoming interior minister in a government reshuffle last week -- "reflects the UK's position that we've not come to any conclusion" on the matter.
