Badenoch and Geldof clash over claims Israel is 'lying'

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has clashed with Live Aid organiser Sir Bob Geldof over the Middle East crisis as she doubled down on her support for Israel.

- DAVID MADDOX

The pair were the top guests on the Sky News programme Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, and were both asked about the current crisis in Gaza, where thousands of people are facing starvation. During his interview, Sir Bob accused the Israeli government of “lying” about the situation surrounding the delivery of aid to Palestinians.

Yesterday, Israel announced a “tactical pause” in its military activity to enable aid to be brought into Gaza. The UK is preparing to airdrop food into the territory.

When Sir Bob was asked about claims made by the Israeli government that there are hundreds of trucks full of aid waiting to get into Gaza that are being held up by United Nations incompetence and Hamas, he hit out at Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli government.

“The Israeli authorities are lying,” he claimed. “They’re lying. Netanyahu is a liar. The IDF are lying.”

His comments enraged the Israeli government, which has denied being at fault after it was reported that more than 110 people had died of hunger during the conflict. Israel has sought to blame Hamas for “stealing aid and prolonging the war”.

Sir Bob, who is marking 40 years since his Live Aid concerts were held to raise money for people facing starvation in Ethiopia, said he felt that given his history, and his ongoing work in helping to tackle poverty, he had a right to speak out on the unfolding crisis in Gaza.