Government ministers have been urged not to meet the president of Israel when he travels to the UK next week.
The visit of Isaac Herzog has sparked outrage among many Labour MPs at a time when the humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic and Israel presses ahead with another major military offensive.
Mr Herzog is expected to arrive in the UK on Wednesday for a two-day stay.
It comes after Sir Keir Starmer condemned the “terrible situation” in the strip this week, and before the UK intends to recognise a Palestinian state later this month.
Labour MPs have demanded the government does not meet the Israeli leader.
Israel’s president to visit London next Thursday for expected talks with ministers. I really hope this is inaccurate. The UK’s recognised the “real risk” of genocide perpetuated by Israel, so unless this meeting is about peace - what message are we sending https://t.co/zegDxaztQW
— Sarah Champion (@SarahChampionMP) September 4, 2025
Sarah Champion, Labour chair of the international development select committee, wrote on X: “Israel’s president to visit London next Thursday for expected talks with ministers. I really hope this is inaccurate.
“The UK’s recognised the ‘real risk’ of genocide perpetuated by Israel, so unless this meeting is about peace – what message are we sending.”
Former Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell, who sits as an Independent after having the whip suspended over a vote on the two-child benefit cap, said: "The prime minister is shaming our country by inviting Herzog to Britain.
"He seems to have no appreciation of our people's outrage at the ongoing murder of Palestinian children by Israel. Herzog is the mouthpiece of the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] butchers and should never be allowed near our country."
Former Labour MP Zarah Sultana, who now sits as an Independent, posted on X: “Beyond disgusted that Israeli President Herzog is set to visit London next week to meet Labour ministers.
“The Labour Party is living up to its reputation as The Genocide Party. Herzog should be arrested for war crimes the moment he sets foot on UK soil.”
The Palestinian death toll has surpassed 64,000 since the war triggered by Hamas’s deadly 2023 attack on Israel began nearly two years ago, local health officials said on Thursday.
Downing Street declined to comment when asked about the Israeli president’s trip, saying it would set out any visits “in the normal way”.
Labour minister Douglas Alexander said the UK must engage with Israeli as well as Palestinian authorities as part of its diplomatic push to end the Gaza war. Speaking to broadcasters on Friday, trade minister Mr Alexander said diplomacy would involve "meeting people with whom you disagree".
Were Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to travel to the UK, domestic courts could decide to enforce an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Mr Herzog’s role as Israeli president is largely ceremonial. He is from a different political party to Mr Netanyahu and has not always seen eye-to-eye with the premier, although he has largely supported war efforts in Gaza.
