UK Foreign Secretary Arrives in Israel in Sign of ‘Unwavering Solidarity’

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly arrives at BBC Broadcasting House in London on Sept. 17, 2023. (James Manning/PA)

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has travelled to Israel to show Britain’s “unwavering solidarity” following the Hamas attacks.

The Foreign Office confirmed Mr. Cleverly’s arrival in Israel on Wednesday. A spokesman said he was there to demonstrate “the UK’s unwavering solidarity with the Israeli people.”

While visiting Ofakim in southern Israel, Mr. Cleverly and his Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen, had to run for cover, as they heard air raid sirens go off, warning of an incoming attack.

“This is the reality Israelis live with every day,” said Israel’s Foreign Ministry Director of Digital Diplomacy David Saranga in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

During his visit, Mr. Cleverly will be meeting senior Israeli leaders and survivors of the Hamas attacks.

This comes after the UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, alongside the leaders of the United States, France, Italy and Germany, agreed to remain “united” as common friends of Israel.

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In a joint statement issued on Monday, the Western leaders outlined their support for Israel in “its efforts to defend itself.”

Israel formally declared war on Oct. 8, after an attack by the terrorist group Hamas on Oct. 7.

By Tuesday, over 1,200 deaths were reported in Israel and 900 deaths in Gaza. Thousands have been injured on both sides.

A complete siege of Gaza, announced by Israel, means that around 2 million people living in the Gaza Strip won’t have continued access to food, fuel and medicine.

The sole remaining access from Egypt was shut on Tuesday, following airstrikes near the Rafah border crossing.

Mr. Cleverly has previously said that Israel has the right to defend itself “proportionately” but didn’t specify whether that includes siege tactics of the Gaza Strip.

Humanitarian Corridor

The UK has not suspended its development and humanitarian aid to Palestinian territories.

However, the pressure is mounting on Downing Street to review its policies after the European Union said it will review its financial aid to Palestine in the wake of Hamas attacks.

Britain’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget for the occupied Palestinian Territories in 2023 is £17 million. This is meant to increase to £29 million in the next financial year.

When Mr. Cleverly visited a refugee camp in the West Bank in September, he announced a funding boost of £10 million to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA).

On Monday, the U.N. asked for access to Gaza in order to deliver urgent humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians.

Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf has also urged the UK government to negotiate with Israel and facilitate the opening of a humanitarian corridor into Gaza.

Mr. Yousaf’s parents-in-law are among the civilians in Gaza, who were advised by Israel to leave but “got nowhere to go,” the first minister said.

Mr. Cleverly may address international humanitarian concerns during his visit to Israel and negotiate the reopening of the Rafah border.

Safety at Home and Away

UK officials have voiced their concerns for the safety of British citizens in Israel.

Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy wrote a letter to Mr. Cleverly on Monday, asking him about British nationals who are unable to leave Israel.

He pointed to the examples of Brazil, Hungary and Poland, who have announced rescue flights to return their nationals.

“Does the UK government have plans to do the same?” Mr. Lammy asked.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCD) has so far issued advice against travelling to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This includes the Rafah crossing into Egypt.

In the UK, the government has stressed the need to ensure a zero-tolerance approach to antisemitism. Home Secretary Suella Braverman told police chiefs on Tuesday to respond to any potential offences, including explicit pro-Hamas symbols and chants.

“Behaviours that are legitimate in some circumstances, for example the waving of a Palestinian flag, may not be legitimate such as when intended to glorify acts of terrorism,” Ms. Braverman added.

Speaking to LBC, Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer said it was important to not “conflate peaceful discussion of Palestinian issues with Hamas.”

“Now, the flags is a different situation. It really depends on the circumstances. If it’s provoking or encouraging attacks that might be one thing, there might be other situations,” Sir Keir added.

The police are expected to use “the full force of the law” against displays of support for Hamas or attempts to intimidate British Jews, Ms. Braverman concluded in her statement.