Israel and UK Issue Dramatically Different Accounts of their PM's
Conversation =20
Dr. Aaron Lerner 21 January 2025

The Israeli version of the conversation has the UK PM saying they were
looking into their weapons freeze against Israel.

The UK version has the UK PM saying that the UK will do everything it =
can to
support the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state.=20

#1 Israeli version
PM Netanyahu Speaks with British PM Keir Starmer
Type: Media Statements
Government: The 37th Government
Publish Date: 21.01.2025
https://www.gov.il/en/pages/spoke-uk210125

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this afternoon, spoke with British =
Prime
Minister Keir Starmer, who thanked him for the release of British =
citizen
Emily Damari, and congratulated him on his actions for the release of =
the
other hostages.

Prime Minister Netanyahu raised the issue of the weapons export licenses =
to
Israel that have been frozen in the UK. Prime Minister Starmer said that =
an
evaluation of the issue is being carried out.

#2 UK version
Press release
PM call with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel: 21 January 2025
The Prime Minister spoke to Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu.
Published 21 January 2025
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-call-with-prime-minister-netanyahu-=
of-
israel-21-january-2025

The Prime Minister spoke to Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu
today.

The Prime Minister began by offering the UK=92s support for the =
hard-fought
and long-awaited ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, which has now
entered its third day.=A0

He offered his personal thanks for the work done by the Israeli =
government
to secure the release of the hostages, including British hostage Emily
Damari. To see the pictures of Emily finally back in her family=92s arms =
was a
wonderful moment but a reminder of the human cost of the conflict, he
added.=A0

The leaders moved on to discuss the need to see the next stages of the
ceasefire deal implemented in full and on schedule, including the =
release of
the remaining hostages. The Prime Minister reiterated that it was vital =
to
ensure humanitarian aid can now flow uninterrupted into Gaza, to support =
the
Palestinians who desperately need it.=A0

Both agreed that we must work towards a permanent and peaceful solution =
that
guarantees Israel=92s security and stability. The Prime Minister added =
that
the UK stands ready to do everything it can to support a political =
process,
which should also lead to a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.=A0

They agreed to continue their close co-operation on defence and security
matters in support of wider stability in the region - particularly in =
the
face of the ongoing threat posed by Iran.

________________________________________
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis

Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus =
on
Arab-Israeli relations

Website: www.imra.org.il