House of Commons – Sept. 9, 2025

Dear Prime Minister,

We write to express our grave concern at reports that Israeli President Isaac Herzog is due to visit the United Kingdom in the coming days.

The United Kingdom is a state party to the 1948 Genocide Convention and therefore bears a binding responsibility not only to refrain from committing genocide itself, but also to take active steps to prevent and punish genocide and incitement to it wherever it occurs. This obligation includes ensuring that individuals credibly implicated in the commission or incitement of such crimes are not afforded political legitimacy or hospitality by our government.

In January 2024, the International Court of Justice determined that Israel faces a “plausible risk of genocide” in relation to its ongoing military campaign in Gaza. In making that finding, the Court specifically cited statements made by President Herzog which appeared to dehumanise the Palestinian people and endorse collective punishment. Among these were his claim that there are “no innocent civilians in Gaza” and his assertion that “it is an entire nation that is responsible.” Photographs have also circulated of President Herzog personally writing messages on shells later deployed in Gaza. Such actions and words, when considered in light of the devastation unfolding in Gaza, raise serious questions about his role in encouraging or legitimising violence against civilians.

Given these facts, it is troubling that the Government appears prepared to welcome President Herzog to the UK without consideration of the implications under our Genocide Convention duties. At a time when more than 64,000 Palestinians have been killed, the overwhelming majority women and children, such a visit risks suggesting that the UK is indifferent to its international legal responsibilities.

We therefore urge ministers to clarify what legal advice they have received regarding this visit, whether President Herzog’s entry to the UK is compatible with our obligations under the Genocide Convention, and what steps will be taken to ensure that Britain is not complicit in shielding or legitimising those accused of grave international crimes.

Will any visa application made by the Israeli President to visit the UK this week be rejected or will he be subject to police investigation if he does arrive?

We ask the Government to act with the seriousness that this moment demands. The UK must show consistency in upholding international law and human rights, not selective application.

Yours, Andy McDonald MP