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Tag: Downing Street

  • PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with the President of Israel Isaac Herzog [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with the President of Israel Isaac Herzog [October 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 19 October 2023.

    The Prime Minister met Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Israel today.

    He expressed his personal condolences for the horrific loss of life in Israel as a result of Hamas’ terrorism. He reiterated that the UK stands in solidarity with Israel and firmly believes in the country’s right to self-defence in line with international law.

    The Prime Minister and President Herzog agreed on the importance of getting urgent humanitarian support to ordinary Palestinians in Gaza who are also suffering. The Prime Minister welcomed yesterday’s announcement that Israel would not stop aid from entering Gaza. He expressed his sincere hope that further progress could be made on delivering crucial food, water and medicine.

    The Prime Minister conveyed his gratitude to President Herzog for the support Israel has provided to British nationals caught up in the attacks, including to the families of those who have been taken hostage. The leaders agreed to continue working tirelessly to secure their release.

    The Prime Minister and President Herzog stressed the imperative need to avoid further escalation of violence in the region. They agreed to continue working together to that end.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia [October 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 19 October 2023.

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia today.

    The leaders agreed that the loss of innocent lives in Israel and Gaza over the last two weeks has been horrific. They underscored the need to avoid any further escalation in the region and agreed to coordinate action on this front.

    The Prime Minister and Crown Prince agreed on the pressing need for humanitarian access into Gaza to provide vital water, food and medicine. The Prime Minister outlined the steps the UK has taken to address the increasingly urgent humanitarian situation, including announcing £10 million of further aid.

    The Prime Minister encouraged the Crown Prince to use Saudi’s leadership in the region to support stability, both now and in the long-term.

    More broadly, the Prime Minister and Crown Prince looked forward to working together to advance areas of shared interest for the UK and Saudi Arabia, including on upholding regional security.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with President Christodoulides of Cyprus [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with President Christodoulides of Cyprus [October 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 18 October 2023.

    The Prime Minister spoke to Nikos Christodoulides, President of the Republic of Cyprus, this evening.

    The Prime Minister thanked President Christodoulides for the vital Cypriot support in the repatriation of British Nationals from Israel.

    Discussing the situation in Israel and Gaza, the leaders reflected on the awful terrorist attacks by Hamas, the importance of avoiding escalation and protecting innocent civilians.

    The Prime Minister reflected on his calls with other regional leaders, and said he hoped a way forward could be found that brought lasting peace for innocent civilians on both sides.

    Discussing the close relationship between the UK and Cyprus, both leaders agreed it was a special bond built on historic ties and enduring friendships.

    The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with the Prime Minister and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with the Prime Minister and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman [October 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 October 2023.

    The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, this afternoon.

    Their discussions focused on the conflict in Gaza following Hamas’ terror attack, and the Prime Minister welcomed Saudi Arabia’s leadership in seeking a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

    The leaders agreed on the importance of avoiding further destabilisation across the Middle East, including through Iranian proxies in the region, and committed to coordinate action to deescalate tensions.

    The Prime Minister set out the UK’s support for Israel’s right to defend itself against terror and combat the threat from Hamas. He confirmed the UK would provide further humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza and continue to support the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people to statehood, alongside regional partners like Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt.

    The leaders also discussed wider cooperation between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, including in the areas of defence, trade and investment.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani [October 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 October 2023.

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, this afternoon about the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

    The Prime Minister reiterated his complete condemnation of Hamas’ terrorist attack and set out the UK’s efforts to support Israel and protect Palestinian civilians and British nationals caught up in the violence.

    The leaders discussed areas of cooperation between the UK and Qatar, including on ensuring safe passage for aid to Gaza to alleviate the humanitarian suffering and on urgent efforts to secure the release of hostages. The Prime Minister thanked the Amir for his constructive role in regional diplomacy.

    The Prime Minister updated on his conversations with other Arab leaders and they agreed that the conflict must not be allowed to destabilise the wider region and cause further bloodshed.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New appointment to the UK Supreme Court [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New appointment to the UK Supreme Court [October 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 October 2023.

    The King has approved the appointment of Lady Justice Simler to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom as a Justice.

    Lady Justice Simler will join the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom as a Justice on 14 November, it was announced today.

    His Majesty The King made the appointment on the advice of the Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor, following the recommendations of an independent selection commission.

    Welcoming the announcement, the President of the Supreme Court, The Right Hon The Lord Reed of Allermuir said:

    I am delighted to welcome Lady Justice Simler as a Justice to the Supreme Court.

    She will bring exceptional experience and ability to the Court following a distinguished career as a barrister and Judge. Her experience in employment law, tax, public law and criminal law will be highly valuable to the Supreme Court and will further strengthen us as a world-leading Court.

    This appointment follows the retirement of Lord Kitchin on 29 September 2023.

    A detailed description of the appointments process for Justices is available on the Supreme Court website.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with President Erdoğan of Türkiye [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with President Erdoğan of Türkiye [October 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 16 October 2023.

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to President of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, this afternoon about the conflict in Gaza following Hamas’ terror attack.

    The Prime Minister welcomed the opportunity to speak to President Erdoğan at this critical time, as an influential regional partner and NATO ally. The leaders shared their concerns about the risk of violence spreading in the region and agreed to work together to mitigate against further escalation.

    The Prime Minister updated on the UK’s military deployments to the region, which provide surveillance capabilities and offer a platform to support humanitarian operations if needed.

    The Prime Minister reaffirmed the UK’s support for Israel’s right to defend itself following last week’s abhorrent attack, noting that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people. They discussed the importance of facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza and taking all reasonable measures to protect civilians caught up in the violence.

    The leaders also agreed to work together with international partners to reinvigorate the Middle East Peace Process and bring about a peaceful and lasting resolution to this conflict.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority [October 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 16 October 2023.

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas this morning.

    He expressed his condolences for the deaths of Palestinian civilians, who have been caught up in the aftermath of Hamas’s terror attack. The Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s position that Hamas does not speak for ordinary Palestinians.

    The leaders agreed on the importance of avoiding further regional escalation and ensuring calm in the West Bank. The Prime Minister committed the UK’s support for the Palestinian Authority in trying to establish peace and stability. They also discussed support for Gaza, including humanitarian aid and measures to protect civilians.

    More broadly, the Prime Minister and President Abbas agreed that the international community must intensify efforts to break the cycle of violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The Prime Minister affirmed that the UK continues to support a two-state solution, with a Palestinian state existing alongside a safe and secure Israel.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan [October 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 15 October 2023.

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomed His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan to Downing Street this afternoon, to discuss the conflict between Israel and Hamas and implications for regional security.

    The leaders welcomed the historic and enduring cooperation between the United Kingdom and Jordan, which is particularly important during times of crisis.

    The Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s support for Israel’s right to defend itself following last week’s terrorist attack and said Hamas’ abhorrent actions should not undermine the just cause of the Palestinian people.

    They discussed diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation in the wider Middle East, working with regional leaders as well as the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority. The leaders also agreed on the importance of taking measures to protect civilians in Gaza, including British and Jordanian citizens caught up in the violence, as well as ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those in need.

    The Prime Minister thanked King Abdullah for Jordan’s support for British nationals wishing to leave the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and the leaders agreed to remain in close contact in the coming days and weeks.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak words one week on from the start of Hamas terrorist attacks [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak words one week on from the start of Hamas terrorist attacks [October 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 14 October 2023.

    The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak issues a statement, one week on from the start of Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel.

    No words can begin to describe the horror and barbarism unleashed in Israel a week ago. Daughters, sons, mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, grandparents taken from people in the cruellest and most horrific way possible. Hundreds of people have been killed, many wounded or missing and others living through the unimaginable agony of having a loved one kidnapped and held hostage.

    British citizens were among the victims. And as we continue to learn more, I know there are families here and in Israel in deep pain and torment. My thoughts and my heart go out to everyone suffering in the wake of these attacks.

    I know that the days and weeks ahead will continue to be very difficult. To the people of Israel, I say Britain is with you. What took place was an act of pure evil and Israel has every right to defend itself. We will do everything we can to support Israel in restoring the security it deserves.

    To our Jewish community in the UK: I know you are hurting and reeling from these vile terrorist acts. At moments like this, when Jewish people are under attack in their homeland, Jewish people everywhere can feel less safe. We’ve seen intimidating behaviour and shameful antisemitism online and on our streets with attempts to stir up tensions. I say: not here. Not in Britain. Not in our country. Not in this century. We will do everything we possibly can to protect Jewish people in our country. And if anything is standing in the way of keeping the Jewish community safe, we will fix it.

    I am unequivocal. We stand with Israel, not just today, not just tomorrow, but always. And I stand with you, the British Jewish community, not just today, not just tomorrow, but always. Am Yisrael Chai.