Sunak to Netanyahu: This is a moment for ‘calm heads to prevail’

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that now is a moment for “calm heads to prevail” as Jerusalem has decided to respond to Iran’s major missile and drone attack on Saturday.

The phone call was delayed until Tuesday evening following reports in Israel that Netanyahu snubbed Sunak on Monday evening. An Israeli official denied the report.

Sunak reiterated the UK’s “steadfast support for Israel’s security and for wider regional stability. Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked the UK for its rapid and robust support in the face of Iran’s reckless and dangerous attack on Saturday,” a readout of the call from Sunak’s office said.

“The Prime Minister said Iran had badly miscalculated and was increasingly isolated on the global stage, with the G7 coordinating a diplomatic response. He stressed that significant escalation was in no one’s interest and would only deepen insecurity in the Middle East. This was a moment for calm heads to prevail,” he added.

Sunak also remains “gravely concerned about the deepening humanitarian crisis” with the UK wanting to see a “massive step change in aid access to flood Gaza with vital supplies, including Israel opening up new aid routes as quickly as possible.”

Israel has nearly doubled the amount of daily aid coming in to Gaza since the killing of seven aid workers earlier this month. A border crossing in northern Gaza has also been opened, allowing dozens of trucks to enter the war-zone every day.

Sunak also commented on Hamas’ consistent rejection of ceasefire proposals put forward by Israel, Egypt and Qatar, saying he was “deeply disappointing that Hamas blocked a deal at the weekend that would have saved Palestinian lives and secured the safe release of hostages.”