Benjamin Netanyahu has rebuffed calls for restraint in Israel's response to Iran's drone and missile attack over the weekend despite a direct appeal from David Cameron during talks in Jerusalem.
In a pointed statement, the Israeli prime minister’s office thanked both Lord Cameron and Germany’s foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, for their “suggestions and advice” while telling them: “I want to make it clear – we will make our own decisions, and the state of Israel will do everything necessary to defend itself.”
Earlier, the foreign secretary said that Israel is “making the decision to act” in retaliation against Iran but called on Mr Netanyahu’s government to respond in a way that will do “as little to escalate” the confrontation between the two bitter adversaries as possible to avoid wider war in the Middle East.
The UK and US have led calls for restraint in retaliation and Rishi Sunak delivered a similar message to Mr Netanyahu in a phone call, saying it was “time for calm heads to prevail”. Lord Cameron travelled to Israel late on Tuesday to discuss its response to Tehran’s barrage.
This story is from the April 18, 2024 edition of The Independent.
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This story is from the April 18, 2024 edition of The Independent.
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