Rishi Sunak calls for stability after backing Israel against Hamas

Watch: Sunak tells Israel's PM he supports the country

By Paul Seddon
Politics reporter

Rishi Sunak has urged Saudi Arabia to help support stability in the Middle East, after backing Israel in its war with Hamas on a visit to the country.

The UK prime minister agreed to work with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to avoid further escalation and deliver aid to Gaza.

Mr Sunak flew to Riyadh as part of a two-day trip to capitals in the region.

Earlier, Mr Sunak promised to stand with Israel in a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The diplomatic flurry comes as Israel prepares for a ground invasion into Gaza after the deadly Hamas attack on 7 October.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Mr Netanyahu, Mr Sunak said he was "proud" to support Israel in its "long war" against Hamas, which he branded "pure evil".

"We will stand with you in solidarity, we will stand with your people. And we also want you to win," Mr Sunak told reporters.

In a statement following the meeting with the Saudi crown prince, Downing Street said the pair agreed the "loss of innocent lives in Israel and Gaza over the last two weeks has been horrific" and "underscored the need to avoid any further escalation in the region".

Mr Sunak "encouraged the crown prince to use Saudi's leadership in the region to support stability, both now and in the long-term", No 10 said.

Israeli warplanes and artillery have been bombarding Gaza since more than 1,400 people were killed in the attack by Hamas earlier this month.

Gaza remains under siege, with Israel blocking cross-border supplies of water, electricity, and fuel.

Downing Street said Mr Sunak had met his Israeli counterpart for two hours of talks, mostly without officials present.

Appearing afterwards, Mr Netanyahu said Israel would need "continued support" from allies, warning there would be "ups and downs" and "difficulties" as it fought Hamas.

Speaking alongside him, Mr Sunak told reporters the UK "absolutely" supported Israel's "right to defend itself, in line with international law".

"I know that you are taking every precaution to avoid harming civilians, in direct contrast to the terrorists of Hamas," he added.

'Darkest hour'

Borrowing a phrase from Britain's leader during World War Two, Sir Winston Churchill, Mr Netanyahu said the Hamas attack represented "the world's darkest hour".

Mr Sunak echoed the language, adding: "I'm proud to stand here with you in Israel's darkest hour as your friend".

His visit comes directly after US President Biden's, as world leaders step up efforts to prevent the conflict spilling into the wider region.

Mr Biden said Israel had been "badly victimised" - and had a right to strike back against Hamas.

But he cautioned Israelis against being "consumed" by anger, urging them not to repeat the "mistakes" made by an "enraged" United States after the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

Mr Sunak's meeting with Saudi Arabia's crown prince is significant.

Saudi Arabia is a vital player when it comes to engaging with all international and regional parties to halt escalation and prevent further spread in the region.

Until a couple of weeks ago, Riyadh was involved in three-way negotiations with Tel Aviv and the White House to normalise relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. The talks were moving at a swift pace but all that changed on 7 October after Hamas's attack.

Since then, Saudi Arabia has not only come out in strong support of the Palestinians but has also condemned and blamed Israel for the war.

The Palestinian issue has united the otherwise divided Muslim world. Given the volatile dynamics of the region, Prince Salman could play an important role.

Mr Sunak also said he appreciated Israel's announcement on Wednesday it would not stop aid entering southern Gaza from Egypt.

However, Israel only agreed to allow food, water and medical supplies - not other much-needed supplies like fuel.

It also says it will not allow any aid to pass through its own territory until hostages taken by Hamas during its attack earlier this month are released.

After an earlier meeting with Israel's president Isaac Herzog, No 10 said Mr Sunak hoped for "further progress" in delivering aid to Gaza.

More on Israel-Gaza war

Reuters

Rishi Sunak flew to Saudi Arabia for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Mr Sunak has declined to back calls from the Scottish National Party and some Labour MPs for a ceasefire to protect civilians, insisting Israel has a right to "act against terrorism".

Speaking to broadcasters, however, he said it was important to stop the conflict escalating regionally.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly told MPs on Wednesday that calls for ceasefires were "all well and good", but he had seen no evidence that one would be respected by Hamas.

Mr Cleverly is on a diplomatic trip of his own, meeting his Egyptian counterpart earlier. He is also due to visit Turkey and Qatar.

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