Netanyahu upset over UK's ICC decision

David Lammy, the UK Foreign Secretary, faced a diplomatic snub from Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu during his recent visit to Israel. This incident follows the UK’s withdrawal of its objections to the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant proceedings against Netanyahu, a move that has reportedly left the Israeli leader feeling “stung.” During Lammy's previous visit last month, the two leaders were seen shaking hands, but the atmosphere has since soured. Netanyahu's refusal to meet Lammy during his latest trip to Jerusalem underscores the tension between the UK and Israel, particularly in light of the UK’s decision not to intervene on Netanyahu's behalf at the Hague. This diplomatic rift highlights the complexities of international relations, especially concerning legal actions taken by international bodies against national leaders. In addition to the diplomatic fallout, the UK government is preparing to announce an arms embargo on Israel. This embargo could potentially be more extensive than Lammy initially intended, indicating a significant shift in the UK’s stance on arms sales to Israel. The foreign secretary had previously indicated that he was contemplating a ban specifically on the sale of “offensive” weapons. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how these diplomatic tensions will affect UK-Israel relations and the broader geopolitical landscape in the region.