Israeli President Isaac Herzog needs to answer for alleged war crimes committed by his country when he visits the UK this week, a Cabinet minister said.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said Mr Herzog needs to explain how he believes the Israeli government can achieve its aim in Gaza “without genocide”.
The UK government has stopped short of accusing Israel of genocide, saying it has not concluded that Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is acting with the “intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group”, the legal definition for the crime.
Mr Herzog’s visit this week is likely to include a meeting with Sir Keir Starmer, Israeli media reported.
Mr Streeting told Times Radio: “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.”
