UK PM Keir Starmer met Israeli President Isaac Herzog in
London Wednesday, with Herzog vowing strong opposition to Britain’s recent
stance on Israel.
Herzog's visit follows backlash from Israeli leaders after Starmer's administration hardened its criticism of Israel's war strategy in Gaza in recent months.
Few smiles were visible as the meeting began Wednesday afternoon as the two shook hands in front of TV cameras and photographers in Downing Street.
"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.
In late July, Starmer declared that unless Israel took concrete measures to bring about peace in Gaza, his administration would recognize a Palestinian state in mid-September.
Additionally, Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich have been sanctioned.
The government should not have permitted Herzog's visit to proceed, according to rights organizations and some UK legislators, including members of the ruling center-left Labour party.
Starmer told lawmakers earlier Wednesday that he would make it "absolutely clear" that "we condemn Israel's action" in response to criticism of Israel's strike against Hamas officials in Qatar the day before.
In occupied Palestinian lands, he also pledged to emphasize that "restrictions on aid must be lifted, the offensive in Gaza must stop, and settlement building must cease."
Israeli critics have also put pressure on Starmer's administration to claim that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza through its military campaign.
A protester outside the Downing Street gates was shouting "stop the genocide" when Herzog arrived.
As Herzog's convoy departed, a protester tossed a red smoke canister in its direction. After the cars drove off, police were observed retrieving the canister and holding someone.
Following the release of a letter from then-foreign secretary David Lammy dated September 1 by a parliamentary monitoring committee, London reaffirmed this week that it has not concluded Israel is committing genocide.
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."
What are the implications of recognizing a Palestinian state in the UK?
Recognition would elevate Palestinian diplomatic status,
potentially leading to the establishment of a full embassy in London and
greater international legitimacy. This would enhance the Palestinian
Authority’s global presence and bargaining power.
The UK plans to recognize Palestine by September 2025 unless Israel takes substantial steps, such as agreeing to a Gaza ceasefire, allowing humanitarian aid, ceasing West Bank annexations, and engaging in a long-term peace process leading to a two-state solution.
While largely symbolic, recognition sends a powerful political and moral message about the UK’s position on Palestinian self-determination and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It signals support for Palestinian rights and pressures Israel and the US to reconsider current policies.