Thu Sep 11 03:55:14 UTC 2025: **Starmer Publicly Rebukes Israel Over “Man-Made Famine” in Gaza During Controversial Herzog Visit**
**LONDON** – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a strong rebuke of Israel’s actions in Gaza, accusing the nation of creating a “man-made famine” and urging an immediate change of course. The criticism came following a meeting in London with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, whose visit has been met with widespread protests and condemnation.
A Downing Street spokesperson revealed that Starmer “implored Israel to change course” in Gaza, demanding the immediate cessation of offensive operations and the opening of borders to allow vital aid to reach the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians facing catastrophic hunger. This marks one of Starmer’s harshest criticisms of Israel since assuming office in July 2024.
The meeting took place against a backdrop of heightened tensions, one day after an Israeli airstrike on Doha, Qatar, targeted a Hamas delegation, an action Starmer reportedly condemned as “unacceptable” and a “flagrant violation of a key partner’s sovereignty.”
President Herzog’s presence in London has sparked fury, with thousands of protesters demonstrating outside Downing Street and at Chatham House, where he delivered a speech. Protesters accuse Israel of genocide and condemned the UK’s welcoming of Herzog.
Despite the strong criticism, Downing Street stressed that “the UK and Israel are longstanding allies.” Herzog echoed this sentiment, confirming a “tough and strong” discussion with Starmer but characterizing it as an argument “out of respect” between allies. He extended an invitation for the UK to send a “fact-finding mission” to investigate the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Starmer defended his decision to meet with Herzog, rejecting calls to cut diplomatic ties. He stated, “I will not give up on diplomacy. That is the politics of students.” This comes after facing criticism in Parliament, with Scottish National Party leader Stephen Flynn questioning Starmer’s decision to “harbour this man whilst children starve.”
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