Israel, US Envoy Clash With UK Foreign Secretary Over Gaza Aid Claims

Israel's Foreign Ministry and the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Jack Lew, on Saturday criticized British Foreign Secretary David Cameron over remarks he made regarding the situation in Gaza. Cameron had stated that "what is happening there is horrific" and recounted stories of blocked medicine and children dying while awaiting essential treatment. He urged the UK government to act more decisively.

In response, the Israeli Foreign Ministry posted on X, formerly Twitter, asserting that Cameron's "stories" were factually incorrect. The ministry stated there are no restrictions on medicine entering Gaza and that 22,500 tons of medical equipment have entered the Strip since the ceasefire began. They also noted that residents of Gaza leave for medical treatment, with 200 doing so in the past two weeks alone. The ministry pointed out that Britain is part of the International Support Center for Gaza, which aids in delivering medical supplies, implying Cameron was aware of these facts.

U.S. Ambassador Jack Lew echoed these sentiments, writing, "The British have lost it. Their government's antisemitism knows no bounds and does not recognize facts." This statement came after Lew made an unusual visit to the Palestinian town of Turmus Ayya, near Ramallah, earlier that day. The U.S. Embassy announced the visit, during which Lew met with residents, including families of American citizens killed by settlers.

Lew described his visit to Turmus Ayya as an open and constructive meeting to hear disturbing accounts of criminal and terrorist actions by a group of intruders. He emphasized that these actions do not reflect the vast majority of Israelis.