UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing public criticism from senior Israeli officials over his government's stance on the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The relationship, which began warmly after Starmer's Labour Party won the July 2024 general election, has grown increasingly strained.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has been a vocal critic, accusing the UK government of taking a "hostile stance" and delaying arms exports. In a post on social media platform X in early April 2026, Katz stated the UK's position "harms Israel's right to self-defense against Hamas." This follows the UK's support for UN resolutions calling for humanitarian pauses and a sustainable ceasefire.
The friction was evident when Starmer addressed the House of Commons on Monday, April 14, 2026, reiterating the UK's support for a two-state solution and calling for an immediate humanitarian pause to allow aid into Gaza. He emphasized the need to uphold international humanitarian law.
Analysts note the shift contrasts with the previous UK government's more unequivocal support for Israel's military actions. The current dispute centers on the scale of the Israeli military operation, arms exports, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
