Starmer stresses Labour commitment to ‘strong Israel relations’ at Herzog meeting

As his party enjoyed success in local elections, Keir Starmer held a meeting with Israeli president Isaac Herzog, who is in the UK to represent Israel at the coronation ceremony for King Charles III.

By Lee Harpin
  • Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
 5 May 2023, 4:58 pm
Keir Starmer meets Israeli president Isaac Herzog

Keir Starmer has met with Israeli president Isaac Herzog on the same day an impressive set of local election results appeared to boosted his own hopes of becoming prime minister.

Herzog and his wife Michal had arrived in the UK to represent Israel at the coronation ceremony for King Charles III.

On Friday afternoon he met with Starmer, who had earlier been in Chatham, Kent, delivering a speech after his party took control of Medway Council in one of the most impressive local election results for Labour.

The pair are understood to have discussed a number of issues including Labour’s commitment to strong UK-Israeli relations and the need for both countries to work together on climate change and global security.

The pair also discussed the need for global cooperation in regards to the growing threat from Iran. The Israeli president is understood to have praised Starmer’s strong action over antisemitism in Labour.

The Labour leader stressed his party’s commitment to renew efforts for peace in the Middle East and to a two state solution.

The pair are understood to have discussed a number of issues including Labour’s commitment to strong UK-Israeli relations and the need for both countries to work together on climate change and global security.

Labour Friends of Israel director Michael Rubin said the meeting between Starmer and Herzog was “another important step in showing how much Labour has changed” under his leadership.

“Under Keir our party’s longstanding and proud tradition of support for the Jewish state is being restored,” added Rubin.

“President Herzog has been a consistent and firm friend to the UK and to LFI addressing our annual lunch in 2018 and a recent LFI delegation to Israel in February.”

In a tweet ahead of the coronation on Saturday, Herzog wrote:”On behalf of the people of Israel we congratulate the king and the queen and the entire British nation on this momentous occasion and relay our warmest wishes for many years of blessing, success and bold friendship with thee state of Israel.”


He confirmed both his and his wife’s attendance at the ceremony “alongside world leaders from across the globe and local Jewish community representatives.”

Earlier the Israel president had met with Israeli Ambassador to the United Kingdom Tzipi Hotovely.

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