UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Health Secretary Wes Streeting urges Israel’s President Isaac Herzog to answer genocide and war crime allegations during UK visit amid Gaza conflict.
As reported by The Independent, Wes Streeting said Isaac Herzog must answer war crime allegations during his UK visit.
What did Wes Streeting say about Issac Herzog and Gaza war crimes?
Wes Streeting said Israeli President Herzog needs to justify Gaza operations without committing genocide.
The British government claimed it has not accused Israel of genocide, saying it sees no evidence of “intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.”
During his UK visit, Mr Herzog is likely to meet British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, according to Israeli media reports.
Mr Streeting stated,
“When the president of the State of Israel comes to London this week, I think he needs to answer the allegations of war crimes, of ethnic cleansing and of genocide that are being levelled at the government of Israel.”
He said,
“I think he needs to explain how, when we have seen so much evidence of the atrocities being perpetrated by the Israeli army, how he can possibly claim that the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) is the most moral army in the world.”
The health secretary said,
“I think he should explain that, if it is not the intent of the government of Israel to perpetrate genocide or ethnic cleansing, how on earth does he think his Israeli government is going to achieve its stated aim of clearing Palestinians out of Gaza without the war crimes, without ethnic cleansing, or even without genocide?”
Mr Streeting said he spoke to British doctors who worked in Gaza, they
“provided me with the most harrowing eyewitness testimony, one saying for weeks no food was allowed into Gaza, not even for babies.”
He said that the Hamas strikes on Israel in October 2023 were “barbaric”, “immoral”, and “inhumane.”
Mr Streeting stated,
“Not a single one of those atrocities and injustices committed on October 7 can possibly be answered with a level of civilian, innocent loss and suffering that we’re seeing in Gaza, or indeed Israeli settler terrorism being perpetrated in the West Bank.”
How did David Lammy describe the UK’s position on Israel and genocide?
A letter from former Foreign Secretary David Lammy, published by the Commons International Development Committee, outlined the UK government’s stance on alleged Israeli genocide.
He stated,
“The high civilian casualties, including women and children, and the extensive destruction in Gaza, are utterly appalling. Israel must do much more to prevent and alleviate the suffering that this conflict is causing.”
Mr Lammy said,
“As per the Genocide Convention, the crime of genocide occurs only where there is specific ‘intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group’. The Government has not concluded that Israel is acting with that intent.”
Keir Starmer and Mahmoud Abbas’s stance on Gaza and Palestine
On Monday evening, 8 September, Sir Keir Starmer welcomed Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to Downing Street.
Mr Abbas expressed support for Sir Keir Starmer’s pledge to recognise a Palestinian state at the UN if Israel continues its current path.
A Downing Street spokesman said Mr Starmer and Mr Abbas agreed there will be no role for Hamas in Palestine’s government.
They stated,
“They discussed the intolerable situation in Gaza, and the Prime Minister reiterated the need for an urgent solution to end the horrific suffering and famine – starting with an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and a huge surge in humanitarian aid.”
They added,
“The Prime Minister outlined the UK’s ongoing work with its partners on a long-term solution, which both leaders agreed is the only way to bring about enduring peace and stability for both Palestinians and Israelis. The Prime Minister welcomed the president’s commitment to reform of the Palestinian Authority as a vital part of this work.”
David Lammy’s views on Gaza humanitarian aid and Israel
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, who recently served as Foreign Secretary, said,
“The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains catastrophic, with famine in Gaza City and women and girls bearing the brunt of the suffering. The UK is doing all we can to improve the situation but we remain crystal clear: for aid to have impact, Israel must ensure it is allowed in and delivered safely and securely to civilians in desperate need.”
He added,
“The extra 3m funding can only have maximum impact if the government of Israel allows it. Israel must ensure protection of civilians including healthcare staff and health infrastructure, and enable the delivery of life-saving medicines, medical equipment and healthcare supplies into Gaza.”
Key details about the Gaza-Israel war
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 Israelis and taking 251 hostages. By September 2025, over 66,700 Palestinians had been killed, with about 80% civilians.
A ceasefire in January 2025 allowed hostage exchanges and aid delivery. However, fighting resumed in March 2025, worsening casualties and famine in Gaza.