Time for peace and reconciliation, Mr Sunak, not a time to seek winners

Editorial: The prime minister’s visit to Israel was an important expression of solidarity between two allies, and a timely reassertion of ‘global Britain’ – but he must also be realistic about the limits of what he can achieve in the region

(Dave Brown)

Britain may be a generally diminished power in world affairs, and even more so post-Brexit, but in the Middle East, there is still the impression that it punches above its weight. Even if it did not, the visits by Rishi Sunak and foreign secretary James Cleverly around the region would be the “right thing to do”, to borrow the political cliche.

It is right for the head of government to join our head of state, King Charles III, in expressing solidarity and offering diplomatic and other assistance. Israel’s trauma is real, and still raw. The pain of families in the UK, from all ethnic backgrounds in the region, is felt keenly, and there is urgent work to be done in securing the release of British hostages and any British citizens trapped in the war zone.

The prime minister and foreign secretary are in the right place at the right time. They rightly enjoy cross-party backing for their efforts, and they are amplifying the united voice of the West. Mr Sunak seemed genuinely moved by the recent atrocities on his arrival in Jerusalem. He is a friend of Israel, but a friend of peace, too, and of the rule of law.