We’re joined by Sir William Patey, the former British Ambassador to several countries, including Saudi Arabia and Iraq, who is at Labour Conference with the Labour Middle East Council.
Sir William, hundreds now dead in Lebanon just today, according to the government there. The UK has got to tread this difficult diplomatic path, hasn’t it, as an ally of both Lebanon and Israel? How do you suggest they do that?This is difficult. They have to reassure Israel that they are supportive of its security, while at the same time sending a clear message to the Israeli government that actually what we need is de-escalation. We need a ceasefire in Gaza.
I see it’s a distinct possibility. I mean, the logic is I think the Israelis are looking for an excuse. If you look at these provocations, if you like, they’re hoping for a Hezbollah response that would justify them going, despite the terrible history of Israeli invasions. I’m old enough to remember the invasion in 1982 led to the formation of Hezbollah. It didn’t exist before an Israeli invasion. So there’s a long history of failed invasions.
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