Rishi Sunak tells Israeli PM the UK 'stands with you in your darkest hour'
Rishi Sunak vowed to support Israel in its "darkest hour" as he stood alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today.
The British leader said the UK "absolutely defends Israel's right to defend itself under international law" and to take on Hamas, which was vital to protect civilians. He added: “We also want you to win.”
Mr Sunak landed in the country amid controversy about who was behind an explosion at the al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza in which hundreds of Palestinians are feared to have died. Israel says the blast was caused by a misfiring rocket launched by Palestinian Islamic Jihad. But Hamas blames an Israel air strike.
Appearing at a press conference in Jerusalem alongside Mr Netanyahu, Mr Sunak said: "We have seen scenes over the past day that have shocked all of us particularly at the hospital and we mourn the loss of every innocent life, civilians of every faith, every nationality who have been killed. I'm proud to stand here with you in Israel's darkest hour. As your friend, we will stand with you in solidarity, we will stand with your people and we also want you to win.”
He added: “I’m just sorry to be here in such terrible circumstances. In the last two weeks this country has gone through something that no country, no people, should have to endure - least of all Israel, which has lived through some of the most awful scenes, the spectre of violence and terrorism everyday of its existence.
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“I want to share the deep condolences of the British people and stress that we absolutely support Israel's right to defend itself in line with international law, to go after Hamas, to take back hostages, deter further incursions and to strengthen your security for the long term.” The PM said Israel was “taking every precaution to avoid harming civilians - in direct contrast to the terrorists of Hamas which seeks to put civilians in harm’s way”.
Earlier, the British PM met with two families whose relatives have been held hostage by the terrorists following the October 7 attacks. In a post on Twitter, Mr Sunak was pictured hugging a woman, who was not identified. The post said: "To have a child taken from you is a parent's worst nightmare. This morning I heard from families going through this unbearable agony. Working with our partners, we're determined to secure the release of the hostages taken by Hamas terrorists."
Speaking to media later, he told of meeting the families of two UK captives held by Hamas. “I had the opportunity to meet families of British nationals who have been taken hostage,” he said. “We are doing absolutely everything we can to get them home and from here I will be travelling to Saudi Arabia to build on the engagement that I’ve already had with leaders from across the region.”
The PM admitted he was “chilled” by watching footage of Hamas atrocities as terrorists rampaged through kibbutzim and the Nova music festival killing Israelis. “Hamas has perpetrated an absolutely barbaric act of terrorism. I’m sure many people will have seen scenes, seen the videos; they are horrific, they chill you - they’ve certainly done that to me," he said. “Everyone could see they represent pure evil and it’s right that Israel exercises its right to self-defence - it has not just the right to protect its citizens, (it has) the duty to protect its citizens and ensure that something like this can never happen again.”
Mr Sunak told Israeli leaders they had a “duty” to "restore security to your country". Speaking with head of state President Isaac Herzog, Mr Sunak told him: "We will stand with you in solidarity with your people and your right to defend yourself to bring security back to your country, to your people, to ensure the safe return of the hostages that have been taken and I know we will talk further about that later on.”
He added: "You have not just a right to do that, I think you have a duty to do that, to restore that security to your country." Mr Herzog told the PM the military capabilities of "an empire of evil led by Tehran" must be uprooted so Israelis can "live in peace with our Palestinian neighbours."
The PM is due to fly to Saudi Arabia later today to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, No10 confirmed.
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