Portrait of Rishi Sunak
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Rishi Sunak on Gaza

Conditional support for Israel (strong)

TL;DR

Rishi Sunak expresses shock at the bloodshed while affirming Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas terrorism.

Key Points

  • He told Parliament on 2023-10-23 that the UK stands resolutely with Israel in defending itself against terror while stressing the need to follow international humanitarian law.

  • The Prime Minister stated on 2024-04-07 that the war "must end" and called for hostages to be released and for aid to be flooded in to Gaza.

  • Academics accused him of "scaremongering" in May 2024 after summoning vice-chancellors to Downing Street to address student protests regarding the conflict.

Summary

Rishi Sunak, as Prime Minister, has maintained a position of staunch support for Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas following the 7 October attacks, calling the initial assault the "most appalling attack" in Israel's history. Concurrently, he has stated that the whole of the UK is "shocked by the bloodshed" and appalled by the growing toll on Palestinian civilians, emphasizing that the "terrible conflict must end" and that humanitarian aid must be flooded into Gaza. He has repeatedly called for an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a long-term sustainable ceasefire to facilitate hostage release and aid delivery.

In addressing the evolving crisis, his government has taken steps to increase aid provision, including committing substantial financial support and deploying military assets to support humanitarian efforts. Following specific incidents, such as the killing of aid workers, he has demanded transparency and independent reviews, with his Foreign Secretary stating that UK support for Israel is not unconditional. Furthermore, the Prime Minister has taken domestic action regarding campus protests, summoning university leaders to address concerns about antisemitism and student safety amidst demonstrations related to the conflict.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rishi Sunak's current stance is characterized by continued support for Israel's right to defend its security against Hamas, while simultaneously expressing deep concern over the high civilian death toll in Gaza. He consistently calls for the conflict to end and for a sustainable ceasefire to be established.

Yes, he has repeatedly called for a humanitarian pause immediately, which he stated must lead to a long-term sustainable ceasefire. He views this as the fastest way to secure the release of hostages and increase the flow of vital aid.

The Prime Minister stated that the UK has been "straining every sinew" to deliver aid by various means, including air and sea. He stressed that aid must be "flooded in" to alleviate the growing humanitarian crisis.