PM ‘reiterates UK commitment to Israeli security’ during talks

Boris Johnson has “reiterated the UK’s commitment to Israel’s security” in a meeting with Israeli president Isaac Herzog in Downing Street this afternoon.

The prime minister met with President Herzog on the last day of an official three-day visit to the UK, where he has urged the UK to take a tougher stance on Iran. Before the trip, Herzog said in a statement that “Israel cannot allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons capability and it expects its allies to be tough and assertive toward the Iranians”.

Following the meeting, 10 Downing Street said: “The Prime Minister welcomed the recent normalisation agreements with a number of Middle East states, and reiterated the UK’s commitment to Israel’s security and to the stability and prosperity of the region.”

The prime minister also “reaffirmed the government’s absolute commitment to tackling antisemitism”, ahead of Hannukah next week.