Rishi Sunak has promised the UK will stand with Israel, as its leader appealed for backing for a “long war” against Hamas.
Speaking after a meeting with the British PM in Jerusalem, Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu said his country would need “continual support”.
It comes as Israel prepares for a ground invasion into Gaza after the deadly Hamas attack on 7 October.
Mr Sunak said the Palestinian militant group represented “pure evil”.
“We will stand with you in solidarity, we will stand with your people. And we also want you to win,” he told reporters.
Mr Sunak has now landed in Saudi Arabia to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as he continues a two-day trip to Middle Eastern capitals.
Israeli warplanes and artillery have been bombarding Gaza since more than 1,400 people were killed in the attack by Hamas earlier this month.
Gaza remains under siege, with Israel blocking cross-border supplies of water, electricity, and fuel.
Appearing alongside his Israeli counterpart after their meeting earlier, Mr Sunak told reporters the UK “absolutely” supported Israel’s “right to defend itself, in line with international law”.
“I know that you are taking every precaution to avoid harming civilians, in direct contrast to the terrorists of Hamas,” he added.
Borrowing a phrase from Britain’s leader during World War Two, Sir Winston Churchill, Mr Netanyahu said the Hamas attack represented “the world’s darkest hour”.
Mr Sunak echoed the language, adding: “I’m proud to stand here with you in Israel’s darkest hour as your friend”.
Source: bbc.com
