UK's Sunak cancels appearance with Netanyahu as Israelis rally in London
Amid protests in London against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul push, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak canceled a planned joint press conference.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak canceled his joint presser with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu scheduled for Friday on the backdrop of the latter’s commitment to continuing his judicial overhaul.
Hundreds of protesters including Israelis living in London and British Jews gathered Friday morning outside the office of the British premier on 10 Downing Street, calling on Netanyahu to back off the judicial reform. Demonstrators shouted “Shame!" in Hebrew as Netanyahu's convoy arrived. They held signs saying “Dictators are not welcome,” and “Sunak, do not let Bibi turn Israel into another Iran.”
The two leaders were expected to give a joint press conference, but Sunak's office canceled at the last minute despite pressure by Netanyahu’s associates. Netanyahu's arrival and his handshake with Sunak were recorded by photographers but not the Israeli journalists accompanying the delegation.
Addressing Israelis on TV Thursday, Netanyahu pledged to continue the approval process for the judicial overhaul, with a central element of the plan to be adopted by the Knesset this coming Monday.
