Benjamin Netanyahu’s top aide has blasted Sir Keir Starmer for ‘derailing hostage release negotiations’ and ‘rewarding terror’ as the British PM is set to announce the recognition of a Palestinian state.
In an incredibly rare intervention, Netanyahu’s senior foreign policy advisor Ophir Falk accused Starmer of ‘complete moral bankruptcy’ and asked him to ‘come to his senses.’
The PM is set to make the historic announcement this afternoon despite 48 hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza.
Mr Falk also accused the British government of fuelling the rise of anti-Semitism in the UK with the move ahead of Sir Keir heading to the UN General Assembly this week.
‘I can tell you categorically that it had an impact in derailing the hostage release negotiations that were about to close a deal to release hostages,’ Mr Falk told the Mail.
‘It gives Hamas hope that terrorism pays off and that they will be rewarded for murdering 1200 innocent people and for dragging 251 innocent people into the dungeons of Gaza on October 7.
‘Don’t forget October 7 and don’t reward it. I hope he comes to his senses.’
Facing mounting pressure from his party, Sir Keir said in July the UK would shift its position unless Israel met conditions including agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza and committing to a peace deal that delivers a two-state solution.
Benjamin Netanyahu’s right hand man Ophir Falk (pictured) has blasted Sir Keir Starmer for ‘derailing hostage release negotiations’ and ‘rewarding terror’ as the British PM is set to announce the recognition of a Palestinian state
But controversially he did not put any pressure on Hamas to release the hostages or surrender as a condition for recognising the Palestinian state.
The terror group even responded to Sir Keir’s announcement by proclaiming it ‘one of the fruits of October 7’ – the terror attack that sparked the war in which Hamas killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostage .
But Israel’s response has killed over 65,000 Palestinians according to the Hamas-run health authority which does not differentiate between civilian and terrorist casualties.
The international condemnation of Mr Netanyahu’s war also saw France and Canada pledge to recognise a Palestinian state last summer.
Mr Falk said: ‘The UK, France and Canada are all responsible for the war not coming to an end.
‘Look at the timing in July, at that time the negotiating team went back to Israel because Hamas didn’t agree to the mediator’s proposal once they [Hamas] saw that the starvation campaign was kicking and that Macron and Starmer caved, so yes we are disappointed with the current British government on this.
‘He should consider aligning with President Trump rather than tagging along with President Macron.’
Mr Falk also pointed out that Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of the Palestinian Authority which would likely rule any Palestinian state, does not even recognise Israel as a Jewish nation.
The PM is set to make the historic announcement this afternoon despite 48 hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza. Mr Falk also accused the British government of fuelling the rise of anti-Semitism in the UK ahead of Sir Keir heading to the UN General Assembly this week
The Fatah-controlled governing body which currently exercises partial civil control in the West Bank after being pushed out of Gaza by Hamas, also still rewards the families of terrorists who kill Jews with lifetime state payments.
‘None of the conditions that Starmer said he would hold Mahmoud Abbas accountable to were met. None.
‘The Palestinian Authority still pays terrorists for killing Jews by means of their “Pay for Slay” program or by other more discrete mechanisms.
‘After all these years, they still refuse to recognize Israel as the Jewish state, and they still insist on teaching their children to hate Jews.
‘Starmer should not reward that.’
The move is a major change in British foreign policy after previous governments said recognition should come as part of a peace process.
A recent poll by JL partners found a huge disconnect between the public and the government, with nearly nine out of 10 not backing Starmer’s recognition.
Israelis are outraged with the way leaders have not demanded the release of the hostages which they say would end the nearly two year conflict.
‘The war can end tomorrow if Hamas lays down its arms and releases the hostages,’ Mr Falk said.
‘That is such a basic demand, and it’s very disappointing that the British leadership can’t acknowledge and rally behind this basic demand.
‘President Trump said he doesn’t agree with the Prime Minister of the UK on the Palestinian state issue.
‘Any civilized country, any moral, ethical leader, should demand the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, that’s so basic.
‘The Hamas spokesman himself said that such recognition is, ‘the fruits of October 7.’
Families of hostages with British links delivered a letter to number 10 on Saturday in a plea to not take the step of recognition until ‘our loved ones are home and in our arms.’
Earlier this week, a United Nations commission of inquiry concluded Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, which Israel denounced as ‘distorted and false’.
Hundreds of Palestinians have died from starvation in the Strip according to the Hamas-run health authorities and a respected UN-backed body declared starvation in Gaza City in August.
But Falk says these false allegations are libel and fuel antisemitism.
