PM still waiting for call to urge Israel restraint

RISHI Sunak was still seeking to speak to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to urge him to show restraint in response to Iran’s missile and drone attack.

The Prime Minister had expected to speak to his counterpart on Monday, but Israeli media reported that Mr Netanyahu was refusing to take calls from world leaders seeking to influence the response to Saturday night’s attack. Downing Street denied the UK – which supplied RAF jets to help thwart Iran’s barrage – was being “taken for granted” by Israel and suggested Mr Netanyahu’s other commitments meant a call had not been possible.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “He has obviously been in discussions with his war cabinet. The Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary have been speaking to their counterparts.”