Starmer: Israel should show ‘strength and courage’ to de-escalate

Rishi Sunak wants this weekend’s attempt by Iran to attack Israel to mark a de-escalation in the region. He told MPs this afternoon that he would be speaking to Benjamin Netanyahu later today and that he would be discussing how to prevent further escalation, saying: ‘All sides must show restraint.’ This was not a surprise, given Lord Cameron’s language this morning about the need for Israel to ‘take the win’. 

Instead, what was more striking was that MPs did not, as had been suggested by some, spend that much time in this statement complaining about British involvement in foiling the attack. Sunak suggested once again that this was an extension of the RAF’s campaign against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. He also insisted that Iran posed a threat to the UK, as well as to Israel, saying: ‘The behaviour of the Iranian regime as I have said previously, including the actions of the IRGC, poses a significant threat to the safety and security of the UK and our allies.