British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrived in Tel Aviv on Thursday to express solidarity with Israel following the Hamas attacks that resulted in the death of over 1,400 Israelis and non-stop bombardment of the Gaza Strip killing more than 3,400 Palestinians.
Sunak’s visit came on the heels of US President Joe Biden, who had just departed from the region. “Above all, I’m here to express my solidarity with the Israeli people. You have suffered an unspeakable, horrific act of terrorism and I want you to know that the United Kingdom and I stand with you,” Sunak told reporters upon his landing.
During his visit, Sunak emphasized the UK’s firm stance with Israel. “I want you to know that the United Kingdom and I stand with you,” he said, echoing his earlier sentiments at the House of Commons on Monday. There, Sunak described the Hamas attack as “a pogrom” and emphasized its existential threat to the idea of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people.
While visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Sunak said, “I know that you are taking every precaution to avoid harming civilians in direct contrast to the terrorists of Hamas which seeks to put civilians in harm’s way.”
Biden, in his visit, managed to secure an offer from Egypt to allow 20 aid trucks to reach Gaza in the coming days. This decision came under scrutiny as U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths stated that 100 trucks per day were required to meet the needs of the besieged region.
Israel, on the other hand, maintained its stance. It said it would allow limited aid from Egypt as long as none of it benefits Hamas. The Israeli military further emphasized their commitment to the campaign, with a colonel stating: “In the Gaza Strip, every place where Hamas has touched or is touching will be struck and destroyed.”
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak walks after landing at Ben Gurion International Airport in Lod, Near Tel Aviv, Israel October 19, 2023. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun
Reactions from Gaza’s residents have been a mix of despair and outrage. “About the aid, this is something frivolous. We want nothing from Arab and foreign countries except to stop the violent bombardment on our houses,” said El-Awad El-Dali, 65, speaking near the rubble of ruined homes.
Health officials have reported nearly 3,500 deaths in Gaza and more than 12,000 wounded. The United Nations estimates that around half of Gaza’s population has been rendered homeless, trapped inside one of the most densely populated places on Earth.
The conflict has garnered widespread attention, sparking protests across the Middle East. Sunak’s visit to the region is seen as a diplomatic effort to de-escalate tensions. He had previously stated that the Gaza hospital blast, which caused mass casualties, should serve as “a watershed moment for leaders in the region and across the world to come together to avoid further dangerous escalation of conflict.”
The British Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, is also scheduled to visit Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar in the coming days to discuss a peaceful resolution.
Britain’s involvement in the region dates back to the Balfour Declaration of 1917 when the then foreign secretary, Arthur Balfour, pledged to create a “national home” for Jewish people in Palestine.
Before departing, Biden urged Israelis to control their wrath: “While you feel that rage, don’t be consumed by it… Israel has been badly victimized but the truth is they have an opportunity to relieve suffering of people who have nowhere to go… it’s what they should do.”
