Israel’s diaspora minister calls Keir Starmer a ‘pathetic doormat’

Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs said there “is no more pathetic doormat” than Sir Keir Starmer after the British prime minister made no mention of Hamas in a statement about Saturday’s return from captivity of former hostage Eli Sharabi whose British wife was murdered on October 7.

Starmer’s statement said he was “dismayed to see his frail condition and the circumstances of his release. Having met his relatives I appreciate the deep pain they have endured and my thoughts are with them.

“We must continue to see all the hostages freed – these people were ripped away from their lives in the most brutal circumstances and held in appalling conditions. The ceasefire must hold and all efforts need to focus on full implementation of the remaining phases. This includes the return of all hostages, the continued increase of aid into Gaza and securing lasting peace in the Middle East.”

Responding, Amichai Chikli, who has served as Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs since 2022, posted on X: “There is no more pathetic doormat than the Prime Minister of the UK. No mention of Hamas, no condemnation of Hamas – one would think aliens kidnapped them. What a sad joke.”

Sharabi’s wife, Lianne, 48, and daughters Noiya, 16, and Yahel, 13, were murdered by Hamas terrorists on October 7. He was released on Saturday after 491 days in captivity as part of a hostage-prisoner exchange, along with fellow hostages Or Levy and Ohad Ben Ami.

A spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy appeared to distance themselves from Chikli’s remarks.

They told the JC: “The friendship between the United Kingdom and Israel is longstanding. We know that the UK shares our joy in the release of the hostages, as well as an understanding of the nature of Hamas as a murderous and brutal terrorist organisation.”

They added: “Israel’s foreign policy is determined, expressed, and implemented by the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

Chikli has in the past been very critical of London, claiming the city has become the most antisemitic capital in Europe and is engulfed by “wokeism”.

Downing Street has been approached for comment.