Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a thinly veiled jab at Sir Keir Starmer for “succumbing to antisemitic mobs” after the historic hostage release.
The final living Israeli hostages from Gaza have been released by Hamas as the first phase of the peace agreement brokered by President Donald Trump gets underway.
The captives have been held by Hamas militants since October 7, 2023, when the terror group launched a brutal attack in southern Israel, massacring more than 1,200 people and abducting a further 251.
Since then, Israel launched a devastating retaliatory military campaign in the Gaza Strip, which the health ministry claims has killed an estimated 68,000 people and destroyed much of the enclave.
The politically supercharged war which followed has sparked protests around the world, including on the streets of Western capitals, several of whose governments have gone on to recognise a Palestinian state.
Speaking in the Knesset, the Israeli Prime Minister said: “The diplomatic pressure was turned on its head. More and more governments bought into Hamas’s false propaganda.
“More and more Governments succumbed to antisemitic mobs in their own countries. They just turned on Israel.
“They called for us to surrender to Hamas’s demand to leave Gaza immediately without committing to disarm Hamas, without committing to demilitarise Gaza.”
Mr Netanyahu said multiple Governments ‘just turned on Israel’
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REUTERSIn exchange for the return of the captives, an estimated 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israel are set to be freed, alongside a further 1,700 Gazans who were detained by Israeli authorities.
Sir Keir pledged £20million in a humanitarian aid package during his visit to Egypt, part of a broader £116million aid commitment to support the Palestinian people.
Mr Starmer released a statement today reading: “I share the deep feeling of relief as Avinatan Or and other hostages are released today.
“But this is also a stark reminder of the treatment that he has been subject to at the hands of Hamas, and the atrocities that shook the world two years ago.
“Having met his family, I know that no one can truly understand the torture and agony they suffered for two drawn out years and my thoughts are with them. My thoughts are also with the family of Yossi Sharabi, who are still waiting for news.
“I reiterate my thanks for the tireless diplomatic efforts of the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey. It is now crucial that we work together to implement President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, and that will be my focus in Egypt today.
“Commitment to this plan from all parties will be essential to ending the war and building the foundations for a sustainable path to a long-term peace.
“The UK will support the crucial next stage of talks to ensure the implementation of the peace plan.”
Politicians praised the Prime Minister’s influence over the Middle East, including Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, who said the UK played a “key role behind the scenes”.
Mr Netanyahu’s deputy foreign minister, Sharren Haskel, said she would “have to contradict” the idea that the UK was a leading player in bringing peace in the Middle East.
Bridget Phillipson was called ‘delusional’ for believing the UK played a key role
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PA“The Government of the UK, Macron’s plan, the whole conversation about declaring a Palestinian state -we disagree with you,” she told Sky News.
When asked about Ms Phillipson’s comments about the UK’s efforts, she said: “Well, I have to contradict her words, unfortunately.
“With the declaration of the Palestinian state during a very sensitive time two months ago, when the teams were already around the table negotiating, when we truly believe we are able to reach a deal, the message that the UK Government sent Hamas was… that: the longer they continue this war, they will be rewarded.”
The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, accused the Education Secretary of being “delusional”, adding that she can “thank Donald Trump any time”.