PM can stand with Israel while urging restraint

The conflict between Israel and its three-headed adversary, Iran and its allies Hezbollah and Hamas, is Sir Keir Starmer's first big test of foreign policy.

So far, he has taken the brave and right course of standing firmly behind Israel’s right to self-defence, while allowing a small gap between the British government and the bellicose strategy of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister.

In a video address on Tuesday night, after speaking to Mr Netanyahu on the telephone as the Iranian missiles fell, Sir Keir said: “I utterly condemn this attempt by the Iranian regime to harm innocent Israelis, to escalate this incredibly dangerous situation.” He said: “We stand with Israel and recognise her right to self-defence in the face of this aggression.”

His strong support for Israel is brave, because of the Labour Party’s recent history. Tony Blair was finally forced in September 2006 to announce that he would be standing down as prime minister, after Labour MPs were convulsed by his refusal to condemn the “disproportionate” Israeli retaliation after Hezbollah kidnapped two Israeli soldiers.