Starmer to continue speaking with Netanyahu, confirms Downing Street
'Engagement with Israel is important,' says the PM's spokesperson, despite the ICC arrest warrant decision
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Keir Starmer will continue to speak to Benjamin Netanyahu despite the UK “fulfilling its obligations” over the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant decision, Downing Street has insisted.
In a briefing to journalists, a No. 10 spokesperson insisted:”Israel is a key partner across a range of areas, whether it’s on trade and investment, security, science and technology. The Prime Minister has regularly engaged with the Israeli prime minister.
“Engagement, as I say, is important. We have a dialogue with Israel at all levels to reach a ceasefire that we all want to see to bring an end to the violence, protect civilians and ensure the release of hostages.
The Prime minister will continue to speak to the Prime Minister of Israel and the other allies in order to conduct the essential business …we’ll update on unusual engagement in the usual way.”
Asked why the incoming Labour government had withdrawn objections to the process being followed by the ICC, that had been raised by the previous government, Starmer’s spokesperson said:”We respect the court’s position as the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern.”
Then asked why the PM of Israel would ever choose to visit the UK again, knowing an arrest warrant could be raised for him on arrival, the spokesperson said:”As I say, Israel is a key partner across range of range of UK priorities, whether it is trade and investment, security and science and technology, and we obviously need to have a dialogue with Israel all levels to reach the ceasefire that we want to seek, along with the release of the hostages.”
Asked whether Netanyahu would be detained if he entered the UK, the prime minister’s official spokesman refused to comment on “hypotheticals”.
However, he added: “The government would fulfil its obligations under the act and indeed its legal obligations.”
In answer to questions about how the domestic legal process would work if a warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest was needed the No 10 spokesperson said the 2001 ICC Act “sets out the process for which ICC arrest warrants are then endorsed by a British court.”
But he added:”I’d also reiterate, this process has not been used to date in the UK, this Act has not been used to date.
“There’s a domestic legal process for how an ICC arrest warrant would be endorsed by Britainset out in the ICC act.
“Those decisions are then taken forward by an independent British court. But I don’t have any more to add on that process.”
The ICC’s member countries, including the UK, have signed a treaty that obliges them to act on arrest warrants.
The PM’s spokesman confirmed the government stands by the process outlined in the act and would “always comply with its legal obligations as set out by domestic law and indeed international law”.UK to enforce ICC Netanyahu arrest warrant if ratified by independent domestic court
Starmer has previously met with Israeli president Isaac Hertzog, but his conversations with Netanyahu have been over the telephone.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
