The UK foreign secretary will hold talks with senior Israeli leaders
By James Landale
Diplomatic correspondent, in Jerusalem
UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron has arrived in Israel for talks with its leaders about their response to Iran’s unprecedented drone and missile attack.
He is expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has vowed to retaliate after the assault.
The visit comes as the UK and others seek to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called for “calm” in talks with Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday.
The Israeli government has vowed to retaliate after Iran sent more than 300 drones and missile towards Israel overnight on Saturday.
Almost all the projectiles were intercepted by Israel’s air defence systems, with the help of the US, UK, France, and Jordan.
Iran’s direct attack on Israel was carried out in response to a strike in Syria on 1 April which killed senior Iranian military figures. Israel has not claimed the attack, but is widely believed to have been behind it.
On Tuesday evening, Mr Sunak spoke to his Israeli counterpart and warned that “significant escalation will only deepen instability in the region”, adding: “This is a moment for calm heads to prevail.”
Lord Cameron is one of several Western foreign ministers who are expected to visit Israel in the coming days to convey that message in person.
The foreign secretary is also due to meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Affairs Minister Israel Katz, and will discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The visit will include meetings in the occupied West Bank, after which Lord Cameron will travel to a gathering of G7 ministers in Italy to discuss further sanctions on Iran.
