UK Foreign Secretary Miliband calls for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in first talks with Saar
UK Foreign Secretary Miliband calls for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in first talks with Saar UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has called on Israel to withdraw from Gaza and curb its settlements in the occupied West Bank, in his first call with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar. In a statement posted on X, Miliband said that he told Israel it "must crack down on settler violence and must…
UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband initiated discussions with Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar, advocating for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the reduction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. In a statement posted on X, Miliband emphasized the need for Israel to curb settler violence and halt aid blockages to Gaza. He reiterated demands for Hamas to disarm, the Israeli military to withdraw, and progress on the 20-point plan to be achieved.
The conversation also centered on the UK and Israel's shared strategic interest in halting Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons, alongside the UK's commitment to achieving a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Miliband, appointed Foreign Secretary recently by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, has faced criticism from within his party for a perceived soft stance on Israel's Gaza assault, where over 73,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023.
He holds the distinction of being the first Jewish person to serve as UK Foreign Secretary since his brother, David Miliband, occupied the role from 2007 to 2010.
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