Watch: Sunak says tells Israel’s PM he supports the country
By Paul Seddon
Politics reporter
Rishi Sunak has promised the UK will stand with Israel, as its leader appealed for backing for a “long war” against Hamas.
Speaking after a meeting with the British PM in Jerusalem, Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu said his country would need “continual support”.
It comes as Israel prepares for a ground invasion into Gaza after the deadly Hamas attack on 7 October.
Mr Sunak said the Palestinian militant group represented “pure evil”.
“We will stand with you in solidarity, we will stand with your people. And we also want you to win,” he told reporters.
Mr Sunak has now landed in Saudi Arabia to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as he continues a two-day trip to Middle Eastern capitals.
Israeli warplanes and artillery have been bombarding Gaza since more than 1,400 people were killed in the attack by Hamas earlier this month.
Gaza remains under siege, with Israel blocking cross-border supplies of water, electricity, and fuel.
Appearing alongside his Israeli counterpart after their meeting earlier, Mr Sunak told reporters the UK “absolutely” supported Israel’s “right to defend itself, in line with international law”.
“I know that you are taking every precaution to avoid harming civilians, in direct contrast to the terrorists of Hamas,” he added.
‘Darkest hour’
Borrowing a phrase from Britain’s leader during World War Two, Sir Winston Churchill, Mr Netanyahu said the Hamas attack represented “the world’s darkest hour”.
Mr Sunak echoed the language, adding: “I’m proud to stand here with you in Israel’s darkest hour as your friend”.
His visit comes directly after US President Biden’s, as world leaders step up efforts to prevent the conflict spilling into the wider region.
Mr Biden said Israel had been “badly victimised” – and had a right to strike back against Hamas.
But he cautioned Israelis against being “consumed” by anger, urging them not to repeat the “mistakes” made by an “enraged” United States after the 9/11 attacks in 2001.
There was nothing subtle about Mr Netanyahu’s comments.
As well as the denunciations of Hamas as the “new Nazis”, the “new Isis” and “monstrous barbarians” the Israeli PM framed the conflict as a struggle between western civilisation and the “axis of evil” led by Iran.
He also warned of a long war and the need for continual support – with the subtext to Western governments not to get squeamish when Israel’s retaliation escalates.
Politically, the UK PM saw it as important to be seen standing shoulder to shoulder with Israel.
But there were some subtleties in his speech – he warned Israel to minimise civilian casualties, albeit wrapped in approving language – that he “knew” Israel would do this, unlike Hamas.
He also referenced international law, and stressed the importance of humanitarian aid.
That said, it was far from the warning delivered by the US President not to be consumed by rage.
And with a succession of Western leaders being hosted in Israel, Rishi Sunak was playing his part in sending a message to Iran that a wider regional conflict would have consequences.
Mr Sunak also said he appreciated Israel’s announcement on Wednesday it would not stop aid entering southern Gaza from Egypt.
However, Israel only agreed to allow food, water and medical supplies – not other much-needed supplies like fuel.
It also says it will not allow any aid to pass through its own territory until hostages taken by Hamas during its attack earlier this month are released.
After an earlier meeting with Israel’s president Isaac Herzog, No 10 said Mr Sunak hoped for “further progress” in delivering aid to Gaza.
More on Israel-Gaza war
Image source, Downing Street
Rishi Sunak met families in Israel whose relatives were taken hostage
Mr Sunak has declined to back calls from the Scottish National Party and some Labour MPs for a ceasefire to protect civilians, insisting Israel has a right to “act against terrorism”.
Speaking to broadcasters, however, he said it was important to stop the conflict escalating regionally.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly told MPs on Wednesday that calls for ceasefires were “all well and good”, but he had seen no evidence that one would be respected by Hamas.
Mr Cleverly is on a diplomatic trip of his own, meeting his Egyptian counterpart earlier. He is also due to visit Turkey and Qatar.
