Herzog’s office says he will meet Starmer today to ‘reject outright’ UK premier’s recent moves

President Isaac Herzog will meet UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer today at 10 Downing Street in London for what looks to be a tense meeting, according to the President’s Residence.

Herzog’s office says that the meeting will take place “against the backdrop of recent statements by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and members of his government regarding Israel, the forthcoming decision to recognize a Palestinian state, and the ugly wave of antisemitism rising across the country.”

The president is meeting Starmer “in order to reject outright the positions presented by the UK recently,” his office says, and will “express protest over the sanctions imposed against the only democracy in the Middle East and over Britain’s echoing of Hamas’s starvation campaign — while 48 hostages are being cruelly tortured in captivity in Gaza.”

Herzog will reject plans to recognize a Palestinian state right now, arguing it rewards terrorism and could undermine efforts to release hostages. He will also call on the UK and other democracies to stand alongside Israel as it fights against Iran and its axis.

According to his office, Herzog will call sanctions against Israel and its leaders “unacceptable.”