Britain’s deputy prime minister, Oliver Dowden, voiced support for Israel’s right to self-defense while also urging an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza due to humanitarian concerns. In an interview during his attendance at a U.S.-backed Summit for Democracy in Seoul, Dowden emphasized the British government’s continuous push for Israel to adhere to international humanitarian law and expressed worries about aid delivery into Gaza amidst an ongoing humanitarian crisis stemming from six months of conflict.
Dowden’s remarks came in light of increasing tensions between Israel and its primary allies, particularly the United States, over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s strategies in the conflict, including a potential military operation in Rafah. U.S. President Joe Biden cautioned Netanyahu against exacerbating instability in Gaza through such actions, leading to an agreement for discussions between both sides in Washington.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s recent call for new elections in Israel, citing Netanyahu as an impediment to peace, drew a sharp response from the Israeli Prime Minister, who deemed Schumer’s statements “totally inappropriate”.
While affirming support for Israel’s right to defend itself, Dowden highlighted the danger of forgetting the atrocities of previous conflicts and stressed the importance of restraint and proportionality in Israel’s response to Hamas.