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Ed Miliband confirms ‘frank and constructive’ first call with Israel’s Foreign Minister Sa’ar
Foreign Secretary says Burnham government wants 'open and honest dialogue' with Israel
Ed Miliband has confirmed a “frank and constructive” first telephone conversation with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa’ar, adding he wanted to underscore the UK government’s commitment to “open and honest dialogue”.
During the discussion, Miliband said he raised pressing concerns about the “sharp escalation of settler violence and settlement expansion,” as well as the “dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.”
He stated, “I said Israel must crack down on the violence in the West Bank and must immediately end blockages on aid into Gaza.”
The UK Foreign Secretary also said the UK has a “fundamental commitment” to a two-state solution leading to a safe and secure Israel and a Palestinian state.
Responding, Sa’ar later said of the call:”I emphasised the importance Israel attaches to our relationship with Britain and my hope for a more productive dialogue between our countries.”
He also said:”I welcomed the British government’s decision to proscribe the IRGC.”
Miliband said he also called for Hamas to decommission its weapons and urged the IDF to withdraw, highlighting the importance of advancing the 20-point Gaza peace plan.
At the same time, he reaffirmed to Sa’ar that the UK shares a “vital shared interest” with Israel in preventing a nuclear Iran.
The two ministers also addressed shared security challenges and agreed on the need to combat antisemitism worldwide.
Sa’ar added of the call with Miliband:”I also said that the extremist regime in Iran hasn’t given up achieving nuclear weapons.
“I urged the UK to further proscribe the Hezbollah’s financial institution, Al-Qard Al-Hassan. Cutting off Hezbollah’s financial infrastructure is an important step in preventing it from continuing its campaign of terror against Israel and its ongoing occupation of Lebanon and the Lebanese people.
“I made it clear that progress in the implementation of President Trump’s plan for Gaza is dependant on the disarmament of Hamas and other terror groups and the demilitarisation of the Strip.”
Miliband’s early engagement with Sa’ar signals the UK’s intention to maintain active diplomatic relations with Israel.
The previous Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, last spoke with Sa’ar in March about regional security, following the outbreak of conflict with Iran. A month earlier, Cooper and Sa’ar had clashed over settlement policies at a UN Security Council session in New York.
Miliband, who was raised in a secular Jewish household by Holocaust refugee parents, has family ties to Israel, has previously visited the country several times.
Hemet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in April 2014 in Jerusalem.
Miliband was photographed with his aunt Sarah Ben Zvi at a kibbutz near Tel Aviv.
Ben Zvi is the cousin of Miliband’s late mother, Marion, who was married to Marxist Jewish historian Ralph, until his death in 1994.
Following the October 7 Hamas terror attack, Miliband told Jewish News: “Let me just say the October 7 attack was an appalling terrorist atrocity. I have relatives in Israel, as you know.”
He added, “It was a shocking, traumatic event, which horrified me and I think horrified the world. We must have the release of the hostages, and I feel so much for all of the families who have relatives of hostages.”
Reflecting on Labour’s stance under previous leader Keir Starmer, Miliband, the Energy Secretary, said: “We believe Israel has the right to defend itself. We do believe that the continuing Israeli action in Gaza is not either beneficial now for Israel, or for the people of Gaza, which is why we call for a humanitarian ceasefire.”
He added, “And obviously as you know, what we want to see is a two-state solution with security for Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state. And I think that is the only long-term solution.”
In 2014, as Labour leader, Miliband backed a symbolic House of Commons motion to recognise a Palestinian state as part of efforts toward a two-state solution.
When Labour officially recognised Palestine last year, Miliband remarked: “Recognising the State of Palestine is the right thing to do and fulfils a commitment we made in 2014. The only way forward for peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike is a viable Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel.”
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