Calls are growing for the UK Government to cancel today’s official meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, following fresh Israeli airstrikes that reportedly hit areas near Gaza peace talks in Qatar on Tuesday.
The SNP has called the three-day UK visit by Herzog “shameful” and urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to abandon plans to welcome the Israeli head of state at Downing Street today.
The backlash comes amid ongoing international concern over Israel’s actions in Gaza and beyond, including the legality and intent of military operations that have left tens of thousands dead and displaced.
SNP Middle East spokesperson Brendan O’Hara MP said the UK Government should not reward Israel’s actions with diplomatic honours, especially in light of this week’s developments.
“Instead of rolling out the red carpet to the head of state of a country inflicting genocide in Gaza, President Herzog’s invitation should be cancelled immediately,” O’Hara said.
“Ripping up that invitation has become all the more relevant given the Israeli Government’s bombing in Qatar yesterday.
“If Keir Starmer meets Isaac Herzog today in Downing Street, it will be one more shameful act from a UK Government that has been complicit in Israel’s slaughter from the very beginning.”
Herzog, whose visit includes meetings with senior UK officials and ceremonial engagements, has previously drawn international criticism for inflammatory comments about Palestinian civilians, including a statement claiming there are “no innocent civilians in Gaza.”
The Israeli President’s visit comes just days after former Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed in writing that the UK Government does not accept the finding that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, a stance at odds with growing legal and human rights assessments globally.
That letter was sent to Westminster’s International Development Select Committee before the Cabinet reshuffle, but has since become a flashpoint for opposition figures and campaigners demanding accountability for UK arms exports and military cooperation with Israel.
Tuesday’s airstrikes near Doha, the host city of delicate negotiations over a Gaza ceasefire have further strained international efforts to de-escalate the war.
“It is infuriating that again, in response to last night’s bombing by Israel, Keir Starmer keeps putting out pointless statements calling for an end to escalation,” O’Hara added.
“But why can he never plainly point out who is constantly causing the escalation?
“Israel is escalating the situation by starving the people of Gaza, Israel is escalating the situation by bombing countries with impunity, and ultimately Israel will keep escalating the situation because they know that their international benefactors are letting them away with genocide.”
The SNP has reiterated its call for an immediate suspension of UK arms sales to Israel, along with targeted sanctions against members of the Netanyahu government accused of committing war crimes.
