Labour urges Starmer to shun Herzog in his upcoming UK visit
4 Min Read
Labour MPs urge Keir Starmer to avoid meeting “Israel’s” Isaac Herzog during his UK visit, as Britain edges closer to recognizing Palestinian statehood.
-
Israeli President Isaac Herzog speaks in occupied al-Quds, occupied Palestine, July 8, 2024. (AP)
According to The Guardian, Israeli President Isaac Herzog will travel to London next week for a sensitive visit that has already sparked backlash within the Labour Party, with several MPs pressuring Prime Minister Keir Starmer to avoid any engagement with the delegation.
The MPs warn that such a meeting would undermine Britain’s position as it edges closer to recognizing Palestinian statehood at the United Nations.
Herzog’s visit, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, marks the first high-level Israeli presence in London since Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s unannounced spring meeting with his counterpart, Gideon Saar.
Traditionally, foreign dignitaries of Herzog’s stature would expect to meet top officials, but Labour figures argue that his presence during the ongoing war on Gaza makes any talks politically explosive.
Labour voices opposition
Downing Street has not confirmed whether Starmer or other ministers will hold talks with Herzog. Yet, recent precedent suggests meetings can be avoided. For example, Starmer previously declined to sit down with Bangladesh’s chief advisor, Muhammad Yunus.
Still, Labour MPs are raising alarms. Sarah Champion, who chairs the international development committee, questioned on X whether a meeting would contradict Britain’s recognition of a “real risk” of genocide in Gaza, saying, “Unless this meeting is about peace, what message are we sending?”
Israel’s president to visit London next Thursday for expected talks with ministers. I really hope this is inaccurate. The UK’s recognised the “real risk” of genocide perpetuated by Israel, so unless this meeting is about peace - what message are we sending https://t.co/zegDxaztQW
— Sarah Champion (@SarahChampionMP) September 4, 2025
Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell went further, saying Herzog should not even be allowed into the country: “I am appalled at the decision to allow this representative of a government that is systematically killing Palestinian children to visit our country.”
Clive Lewis, another Labour MP, warned that merely engaging with Herzog risks becoming “a political statement,” citing the president’s past remarks legitimising collective punishment of Palestinians.
A contentious role
Herzog, though largely a ceremonial figure, has supported the ongoing genocidal war in Gaza while clashing with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on domestic issues. His October 2023 statement declaring all Palestinians in Gaza collectively responsible for the October 7 Operation attack drew international condemnation.
That statement was cited by the International Court of Justice in its January 2024 ruling that Palestinians faced an “imminent risk” of genocide, with the court ordering “Israel” to prevent violations of the Genocide Convention. Herzog later claimed his comments had been selectively quoted.
While the UK has sanctioned two hardline Israeli ministers and moved toward recognizing Palestine alongside France, Labour critics argue Britain has still failed to act decisively to alleviate the humanitarian crisis as the death toll in Gaza reaches 65,000 per the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
A shifting UK stance
Starmer last met Herzog over a year ago in Paris, where he expressed support for "Israel’s right to self-defense". Since then, his government has adopted a more critical line, joining calls for accountability and exploring steps toward Palestinian recognition. It is noteworthy that the UK has been criticized for aiding the Israeli military, both by allowing "Israel" to use its base in Cyprus and flying reconnaissance missions over Gaza.
Yet pressure within Labour continues to mount, with MPs and activists warning that any engagement with Herzog would appear to legitimize “Israel’s” military actions. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey recently announced he would boycott a state dinner during Donald Trump’s upcoming visit, citing the US’s failure to push “Israel” toward ending the war.
