Herzog Argues Respectfully with UK PM on Israel-Palestine
Starmer Delivers Stark Rebuke to Israel Over gaza Famine,Doha Strike
London,September 11,2025 – In a important shift in tone,British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has publicly criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza,labeling the situation a “man-made famine.” The strong words followed a controversial meeting with Israeli president Isaac Herzog in London, a visit that sparked widespread protests across the city.
“They must stop the man-made famine from worsening further by letting aid in and halting thier offensive operations,” a Downing Street spokesperson stated on Wednesday, outlining Starmer’s message to herzog. The Prime Minister reportedly ”implored Israel to change course” in Gaza, marking one of his most forceful criticisms since assuming office in July 2024.The rebuke comes amid growing international alarm over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where aid groups warn that hundreds of thousands of Palestinians face catastrophic hunger after nearly two years of bombardment and blockade.
Herzog’s visit to London ignited passionate demonstrations, with thousands gathering outside Downing Street for a second consecutive day, according to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Protesters also targeted Chatham House, where Herzog delivered a speech, expressing their outrage with chants and the banging of pots and pans.
“Ther’s a genocide happening, and the president of that contry is in our country and being welcomed here, when nobody is happy about it,” one protester told Al Jazeera. Another demonstrator added, “You are aiding and abetting a genocide - and this man is not welcome in our country.”
Adding to the tension, the meeting occurred just a day after an Israeli airstrike on Doha, Qatar, a close ally of both the United States and the UK. The strike targeted a Hamas leadership delegation. The Downing Street spokesperson confirmed that Starmer told Herzog the strike on Doha was “unacceptable” and condemned it as “a flagrant violation of a key partner’s sovereignty.”
Despite the sharp exchanges, Downing Street emphasized that “the UK and Israel are longstanding allies.”
Speaking after the meeting, Herzog acknowledged the frankness of the discussion.”Things were said that were tough and strong,” he stated, adding, “Clearly, we can argue, as when allies meet, they can argue. We are both democracies.”
Herzog also extended an invitation for the UK to send “a fact-finding mission” to Israel “to study the situation in Gaza on the humanitarian level.”
The Prime Minister’s strong stance reflects growing public concern and pressure within the UK regarding the situation in Gaza. While the UK maintains its alliance with Israel, Starmer’s recent actions signal a willingness to hold the Israeli government accountable for its actions and advocate for the well-being of the Palestinian people.