Israeli President Isaac Herzog has insisted that Britain and Israel remain firm allies, though he acknowledged there are some “thorny” issues between the two countries that need to be addressed.
Speaking to GB News’s Martin Daubney and Christopher Hope after his meeting with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, President Herzog described the discussions as "productive".
He stressed that while the UK and Israel enjoy a strong alliance, disagreements are inevitable, and he suggested this was evident in his meeting with the Prime Minister.
Martin Daubney asked President Herzog about UK plans to recognise a Palestinian state and concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
President Isaac Herzog reacted after the PM did not afford him the same 'red carpet treatment' he gave to the Palestinian Authority leader
|GB NEWS
“The two issues you mention are the thorny points in our dialogue with the British Government,” President Herzog said.
“We had a productive meeting, a meeting between allies who can argue. The two main questions are, first, the intention of the British Government to unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state. We believe this would harm efforts to reach any genuine peace in the Middle East. It won’t help a single Palestinian or free a single hostage.
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“Hamas has held Israeli hostages in Gaza for almost two years while waging a jihadist campaign across the region. Symbolic recognition of a Palestinian state could give Hamas the impression that it has the upper hand.”
Addressing reports of famine in Gaza, Herzog pushed back: “We reject the notion there is a famine in Gaza. On the contrary, in the last two months Israel has overhauled its policy. Gaza is open, with a huge amount of food being supplied. The cost of produce and other necessities has sharply declined.”
GB News's Political Editor Christopher Hope pressed Isaac Herzog
|GB NEWS
Christopher Hope noted that footage of starving Palestinian children has raised alarm in Britain and asked whether this explained the lack of “red carpet treatment” at Downing Street.
“I didn’t check if there was a red carpet or not — I’ve been to 10 Downing Street many times, and it was raining,” President Herzog replied. “We are allies. There is enormous distortion from certain media outlets and commentators. We are allies on so many fronts.
“Israel is defending Europe and the free world. Our sons and daughters are fighting and changing the reality in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iran, and of course, Gaza. It’s a painful, complicated battlefield, with missiles hidden in homes, booby traps everywhere. That’s why it’s so difficult. But right now, there is no hunger or famine in Gaza.”
When asked whether he denied the legitimacy of images showing starvation in Gaza, Herzog said firmly: “No.”
He admitted there had been a period of food shortages after Israel tried to reduce Hamas’s control over supplies. “They used food as a tool to control people — 82 per cent of Gazans want them out.
"We proposed a new system where food would be supplied directly to the people. That led to a shortage, which I acknowledge, but it was not intentional. That’s why Israel has completely overhauled its policy.”
On growing hostility from British political forces, Herzog said Israelis are “nervous” about being “constantly blamed” for the plight of Palestinians.
“To blame Israel simply to serve political narratives on the left is a huge mistake,” he said. “When judged clearly, it’s obvious we are also protecting Britain’s national security interests. We know when to admit mistakes, and there should be open dialogue rather than constant blame.”
Isaac Herzog said two issues are particularly 'thorny'
| PAHerzog also rejected accusations of genocide against Israel, calling them “totally unacceptable.” While acknowledging the “terrible situation” in Gaza, he warned that recognising Palestine now would be “dangerous.”
“It won’t help Palestinians or hostages. On the contrary. I demand that world leaders, including the British Government, say to Hamas: ‘We won’t talk to any Palestinian until you release the hostages.’ That may work better.”
Following the meeting, Sir Keir Starmer described the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as “man-made.” A Downing Street spokesperson said Israel must act to ensure the famine does not “worsen further,” adding that the Prime Minister had "implored Israel to change course".