British FM says he’ll keep speaking with Netanyahu but PM will be arrested if enters UK

LONDON — British Foreign Secretary David Lammy says he will continue to talk and meet with Benjamin Netanyahu after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against the Israeli prime minister for alleged war crimes in Gaza.

Lammy tells parliament’s foreign affairs select committee he will comply with the ICC’s request to arrest Netanyahu if he enters Britain, insisting he has no choice to ignore the order.

But Lammy says he will continue to talk to Netanyahu and other senior Israeli government officials about issues such as seeking a ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza and the importance of getting aid into the Palestinian territory.

“I do believe they are important matters that require engagement from those of us in government,” Lammy says. “I can’t see circumstances under which I would not be speaking to the elected representatives of the Israeli government.”