Number 10 Downing Street refused to answer the question when asked by Skwawkbox whether Keir Starmer is prepared to say he regrets welcoming Israeli president Isaac Herzog last week, after the United Nations Commission of Enquiry confirmed its finding that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza – and specifically cited Herzog as a war criminal who has incited genocide.
Starmer: no regrets over Herzog?
Downing Street’s press office refused even to engage with the question and insisted that the question had to be answered by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The FCDO provided only its standard statement evading the UN’s findings:
Our long-standing position is that any formal determination as to whether genocide has occurred should be made following a judgment by a competent national or international court.
But as we’ve made extremely clear – what is happening in Gaza is appalling and we continue to call on Israel to change course immediately by halting its ground offensive and letting in a surge of humanitarian aid without delay.
The death and destruction is causing an unbearable humanitarian catastrophe and putting the hostages at risk – as their families have rightly recognised.
It was clear long before last week that Herzog is a war criminal. It is also perfectly clear that Starmer knew perfectly well that he was inviting one in, even as he gazed longingly at Herzog on the steps of Downing Street last week.
Featured image via the Canary
