Downing Street confirms promised conversation between Sunak and Netanyahu delayed

Rishi Sunak had still not spoken with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu more than 24 hours after saying in the Commons he would do so “shortly”, it has emerged.

At a briefing for Westminster journalists on Tuesday afternoon a Number 10 spokesperson explained the delay by suggesting: “We are still discussing scheduling, working out with diaries.”

Earlier Downing Street denied the UK is being “taken for granted” by Israel.

The spokesperson rejected the suggestion that the delay in the conversation between the UK and Israeli prime minister taking place was “embarrassing” and made Britain “look weak on the world stage”. 

They said:”I think we saw the UK participate in a coalition over the weekend.

“The prime minister has regularly spoken with Netanyahu. 

“It does take time to schedule these with diaries but there was a suggestion earlier this morning that that meant that the UK’s view was not being relayed or we hadn’t had an opportunity to do that. That is obviously incorrect. 

“Our position is very clear, it’s the same as the US and we obviously have contact with the Israeli government through many different channels.”

During Monday’s update on the massive Iranian attack on Israel, Sunak repeatedly told MPs he would be “shortly” speaking with Netanyahu.

Former defence minister Ben Wallace urged him to pressure the Israeli PM on offering more support to the Ukranians in their fight against Putin.