Israel remains ‘important partner’ regardless of election result, Downing Street says
Keir Starmer's spokesperson also tells Jewish News rise of Israeli far-right would not alter his belief in 'strong relationship between Britain and Israel'
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Israel will remain an “important international partner” regardless of the latest elections results, a Downing Street spokesperson has insisted.
Keir Starmer’s spokesperson also said that while “disagreements” might emerge over “rhetoric from individual politicians” this would not alter his belief in a “strong relationship between Britain and Israel.”
Questioned on Wednesday about the likely appearance of politicians previously expressing racist and homophobic views, the No.10 spokesperson said it would be “inappropriate to comment” with both the election results and the make-up of the new government were being formed.
But Rishi Sunak’s spokesperson added: “Israel remains an important international partner.”
Keir Starmer’s spokesperson was also questioned by Jewish News over his response to the new Israeli government, with its likely inclusion of ministers form far-right parties.
The spokesperson said:”Let’s wait and see what happens in terms of whether the government is formed as the exit polls are predicting.
“If the exit polls are correct it does look like Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition is going back into government – we will have to wait and see.”
But Starmer’s spokesperson added:”I would make a broader point that we would say about any country, and that is there will always be disagreements one can have around policy and politics and the rhetoric that individual politicians might use.
“But that doesn’t change the fundamental nature of the relationship between the two countries.
“We continue to believe in a strong relationship between Britain and Israel, and that transcends party politics.”
Both Tory and Labour leader’s spokesperson were speaking to reporters in Westminster after Prime Minister’s Question Time.
PM Sunak was put under pressure of the UK’s asylum crisis, but responded to Starmer at one stage by suggesting his judgement should be called into question over alleged support for Jeremy Corbyn.
Starmer’s spokesperson later described Sunak’s jibe as “desperate stuff” and suggested the nation could see the party was now under “new management” under the current leader.
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