Keir Starmer 'argued' with Israeli President during Downing Street bust up

Sir Keir Starmer "argued" with Israeli President Isaac Herzog during a crunch Downing Street meeting about the crisis in Gaza, it has emerged.

Mr Herzog said the Prime Minister has been invited to Israel for a "fact-finding mission" to study "the situation".

But admitted he "argued" with Sir Keir during a "frank" and "tough" meeting at Downing Street.

But he insisted it "was a meeting between allies".

Mr Herzog said: "Prime Minister Starmer presented his views regarding a Palestinian state, regarding the humanitarian aid in Gaza, and I offered that it would be a fact-finding mission coming to Israel, sitting with us and studying the situation in Gaza on the humanitarian level.

"Because we have full answers and we are fully transparent. And, you know, we argued. We definitely argued out of respect.

"We also had things we agreed upon. We agreed that Iran is a worldwide threat. We agreed that Hamas must be removed. We agreed on it, but how to do it? How to reach this point of an idea into reality? Then, of course, starts the argument."

Qatar has said it has a right to respond to Israel's strike against the headquarters of Hamas's political leadership on Tuesday.

The strike on Doha, which came as Hamas's top figures gathered to consider a US proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, marked an escalation of the conflict and risked upending talks aimed at ending the war and freeing the remaining hostages.

Mr Herzog said he had a "frank" and "tough" discussion with Sir Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street.

Speaking at an event hosted by Chatham House, Mr Herzog said: "We had a very frank and open discussion, me and Prime Minister Starmer at 10 Downing (Street).

"It was a meeting between allies, but it was a tough meeting."

He added: "Things were said that were tough and strong and clearly we can argue, because when allies meet they can argue. We are both democracies, we both understand the threat from the jihadists.

"The Prime Minister reiterated, and of course I couldn't agree more, that Hamas is a terror organisation that must be removed."

Mr Herzog added that he and Sir Keir had discussed "at length" recognition of a Palestinian state, saying: "We believe that a unilateral resolution regarding a Palestinian state will be adverse and negatively affect any future process, because it will be dangerous.

"It won't help one Palestinian, one hostage, and can be adversely interpreted by Hamas."

A Downing Street spokesperson said: "The Prime Minister met the President of Israel Isaac Herzog in Downing Street this afternoon.

"He condemned Israel's action in Doha yesterday as completely unacceptable. He said the strikes were a flagrant violation of a key partner's sovereignty and do nothing to secure the peace we all desperately want to see.

"Turning to Gaza, he reiterated his huge concern and implored Israel to change course. They must stop the manmade famine from worsening further by letting aid in and halting their offensive operations, he added

"The leaders agreed that the hostages who were cruelly ripped by Hamas from their families nearly two years ago must be released. The Prime Minister also shared his condolences for the horrifying terror attack in Jerusalem on Monday, making clear that the UK stands against the abhorrent terrorism Israel has endured since October 7th.

"The Prime Minister finished by saying that the UK and Israel are longstanding allies, and he will continue his work to secure an enduring peace and a better future for the Israeli and Palestinian people alike. Both leaders were clear that Hamas will play absolutely no role in this future."