- Rishi Sunak met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Downing Street.
- During a period of political unrest.
- Despite warnings that the issue can endanger Israel’s security.
In the midst of internal unrest over judicial changes, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Downing Street.
Before discussions about security and the threat from Iran, Mr. Sunak greeted Mr. Netanyahu in front of No. 10.
On his one-day visit, Mr. Netanyahu will also have a meeting with Home Secretary Suella Braverman.
At the gates of Downing Street, hundreds of demonstrators gathered to condemn the policies of the Israeli prime minister.
As Mr. Netanyahu made the brief journey from his convoy to the steps of Number 10, there was a cacophony, including cries of “shame” and “traitor.”
A planned media photo op at the beginning of the negotiations was canceled, and there was no joint statement.
The visit takes place during a period of political unrest in Israel, which has been plagued for months by some of the largest protests in its history.
Despite warnings that the issue is not only producing social unrest but also can endanger Israel’s security, Mr. Netanyahu has refused calls to drop plans for a justice system overhaul.
Military reservists are protesting by declining to report for duty in increasing numbers.
Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets on Thursday, continuing a weekly trend that has intensified since the beginning of the year.
נתניהו בדאונינג 10. אחת העיתונאיות הבריטיות זרקה לו: היועצת המשפטית שלך אומרת שאתה מפר החוק. נתניהו כבר מורגל בהתעלמות pic.twitter.com/E8QeiTUcG8
— Itamar Eichner (@itamareichner) March 24, 2023
Downing Street said that in his meeting with Mr. Netanyahu, Mr. Sunak “stressed the importance of upholding the democratic values that underpin our relationship, including in the proposed judicial reforms in Israel”.
It said the two men also discussed the war in Ukraine and Iran’s “destabilizing activity”, as well as its nuclear program.
It said the leaders welcomed an agreement signed this week aimed at deepening technical, trade and security ties between the UK and Israel.
Although pro-Palestinian groups have staged protests during Mr. Netanyahu’s visits to the UK in the past, the rallies on Friday were unusual since they were organized by British and Israeli Jews, many of whom were waving Israeli flags.
A third, smaller gathering was also staged nearby by Mr. Netanyahu’s supporters.
On the other side of the street, hundreds of demonstrators from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign demonstrated against Mr. Netanyahu’s visit and the State of Israel.
The Israeli prime minister’s detractors claim that he is using judicial changes, which would, among other things, lessen the influence of the Supreme Court, to support himself and defend the policies of his government, which is the most right-wing in Israel’s history.
Mr. Netanyahu has claimed that his detractors disrespect the voters who awarded his coalition and its reform platform a resounding victory in the elections held in November.
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