Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was greeted by protesters outside the residence of British Prime Minister David Cameron on Sept. 9 as the Israeli leader arrived in London for a two-day visit.
About 400 protesters gathered outside 10 Downing Street to protest Netanyahu’s visit. Some called for his arrest, others called him a “war criminal,” and many waved flags, including at least two representing the Lebanon-based terror group Hezbollah. The protests were countered by 100 or more pro-Israel supporters.
Meanwhile, a petition urging that Netanyahu be arrested in the U.K. for war crimes has been signed by 108,000 people so far, enough for the issue to be considered for a debate in the British Parliament. The Israeli Embassy called the petition a “meaningless publicity stunt.”
Ahead of the visit, Netanyahu had urged European leaders to partner with Israel in confronting the “medievalism” of militant Islam rather than criticizing Israeli policy toward the Palestinians.
“We’re challenged by the opposite of modernity, which is a barbaric medievalism, early medievalism, primitive, savage, murderous, that comes from the two sources of militant Islam,” Netanyahu said, referring to Islamic extremists in both Sunni and Shi’a Islam.
“Europe should support Israel; not pressure Israel, not attack Israel, but support Israel, which is the only real shield that Europe and the Middle East have against extremist Islam, which is surging,” he added. — jns.org