Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has launched a fierce attack on UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, accusing him of siding with Hamas by halting arms exports and opposing Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which Israel says are crucial for its national defence.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has launched a scathing critique of UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer amid escalating tensions surrounding the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In a recent video statement, Netanyahu accused Starmer, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, of enabling Hamas by opposing Israel’s military actions, which he described as vital for national defense. Netanyahu claimed that these leaders, by advocating for restraint and humanitarian support, are effectively siding with “mass murderers, rapists, baby killers and kidnappers.”
This sharp rebuke comes against the backdrop of a complex geopolitical situation following the horrific attack by Hamas on 7 October 2023, which left approximately 1,200 Israelis dead and many hostages taken. In retaliation, Israel has launched extensive military operations in Gaza aimed at dismantling Hamas’s capabilities, resulting in a significant civilian toll. Reports indicate that over 53,000 people have died in Gaza since these operations began, including a tragic number of children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Netanyahu’s comments also follow the UK government’s misguided decision to suspend arms exports to Israel—a move he condemned as detrimental to Israel’s right to defend itself. This suspension, driven by concerns that the arms could breach international humanitarian laws, sends a dangerous message to Hamas and other terrorist organizations, indicating weakness where strength is needed. The leadership under Starmer has come under fire for halting around 30 arms export licenses, undermining both Israel’s security and the UK’s historical commitment to support its allies.
The recent UK government’s position on the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants against Israeli leaders has also shifted unfavourably, with the current administration choosing not to challenge them. Netanyahu has derided this decision as harmful to Israel’s security interests, cautioning that such policy shifts could diminish the legitimacy of Israel’s military operations and embolden groups like Hamas, worsening the already tense situation.
The UK political landscape has drastically evolved concerning support for Israel. Starmer, despite previously condemning rising antisemitism and articulating Britain’s historical backing for Israel, is now facing increased pressure from within his own party and public opinion. His approach reflects a troubling duality: while he denounces attacks on Israel, he also emphasizes the need to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, revealing a disconcerting compromise of principles amid volatile international relations.
In stark contrast, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has described the current administration under Netanyahu as a “gang of thugs,” expressing disappointment with their handling of the Gaza situation. Olmert’s remarks highlight a discontent with the Israeli leadership’s strategies, complicating the narrative of unity in the face of terrorism.
Netanyahu’s comments encapsulate a growing concern among Israeli officials regarding perceived shifts in Western support, especially with the rising casualties in Gaza and increased scrutiny of military strategies. While the Israeli government maintains its commitment to combating terrorism, the ever-growing calls from global leaders for restraint and humanitarian intervention only underline the complexities at play in this enduring conflict. As the situation develops, the strained dialogue between nations, such as the UK, under Starmer’s administration, and Israel will continue to evolve, shaped by misguided policies and misplaced international pressures.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7804k13x52o – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/benjamin-netanyahu/article-820789 – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government for suspending arms exports to Israel, describing the decision as ‘misguided’ and accusing the UK of sending mixed messages to Hamas. Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s right to self-defense and condemned the suspension of weapons sales as undermining this right. He also criticized the UK’s reversal on challenging International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, stating that such actions embolden terrorist organizations like Hamas.
- https://www.politico.eu/article/benjamin-netanyahu-uk-keris-starmer-undermine-israel-arms-embargo-hamas-gaza/ – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the UK’s new government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, of undermining Israel by blocking arms exports and dropping objections to an international arrest warrant against him. Netanyahu criticized the suspension of 30 arms export licenses to Israel, stating that it sends a ‘horrible message’ to Hamas. He also condemned the UK’s decision to drop its challenge to the ICC’s application for an arrest warrant against him, calling it ‘misguided’ and harmful to Israel’s right to self-defense.
- https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/netanyahu-hits-out-at-uks-starmer-in-interview-with-british-newspaper/ – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government for suspending arms exports to Israel, describing the decision as sending a ‘horrible message’ to Hamas. Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s right to self-defense and condemned the UK’s reversal on challenging ICC arrest warrants against Israeli leaders. He stated that these ‘misguided’ decisions will not change Israel’s determination to defeat Hamas, a ‘genocidal terrorist organization’ responsible for the October 7 massacre.
- https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/keir-starmer-benjamin-netanyahu-israel-government-hamas-b1182855.html – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the UK government of sending ‘mixed messages’ over its support for Israel and ‘undermining’ the country’s right to self-defense. Netanyahu criticized the new Labour administration for suspending around 30 arms exports to Israel amid concerns they could be used in violations of international humanitarian law in the Gaza conflict. He also condemned the UK’s decision to drop the previous Conservative government’s plan to challenge the ICC’s application for an arrest warrant against him.
- https://www.thejc.com/news/politics/netanyahu-labours-absurd-arms-block-sent-terrible-message-to-hamas-pexbht9n – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government’s decision to suspend some arms sales to Israel, describing it as sending a ‘terrible message’ to Hamas. Netanyahu criticized the UK’s reversal on challenging ICC arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, stating that such actions embolden terrorist organizations. He emphasized Israel’s determination to defeat Hamas and safeguard British hostages, despite the UK’s ‘misguided’ decisions.
- https://www.itv.com/news/2024-09-19/netanyahu-starmers-misguided-labour-party-has-undermined-israel – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the UK government of sending ‘mixed messages’ over its support for Israel and ‘undermining’ the country’s right to self-defense. Netanyahu criticized the new Labour administration for suspending around 30 arms exports to Israel amid concerns they could be used in violations of international humanitarian law in the Gaza conflict. He also condemned the UK’s decision to drop the previous Conservative government’s plan to challenge the ICC’s application for an arrest warrant against him.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is recent, with the BBC article dated May 23, 2025. However, similar reports from earlier this week indicate that the content may have been republished across multiple outlets, including low-quality sites and clickbait networks. The narrative appears to be based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No significant discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The inclusion of updated data alongside older material suggests that the update may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. No similar content was found more than 7 days earlier.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quotes from Netanyahu accusing leaders of siding with ‘mass murderers, rapists, baby killers and kidnappers’ are consistent with his previous statements. No earlier usage of these exact quotes was found, indicating potential originality. However, variations in wording across different reports were noted.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from the BBC, a reputable organisation known for its journalistic standards. This enhances the credibility of the report.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims made in the narrative align with recent developments, including Netanyahu’s criticism of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other leaders. The language and tone are consistent with the region and topic. No excessive or off-topic details were found. The tone is dramatic, which is typical for such political statements.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is recent and originates from a reputable source, with consistent quotes and plausible claims. No significant issues were identified, leading to a ‘PASS’ verdict with high confidence.
