UK Defense Secretary Wes Streeting says Israel has 'fallen short' in Gaza

Key facts

• Britain's new Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said Israel has "fallen short" of British standards of conduct in Gaza and the West Bank.
• Streeting made the remarks during one of his first engagements as defense secretary at the Farnborough International Airshow.
• He previously described Israel's actions as "war crimes" and "rogue state behaviour" in WhatsApp messages.
• Streeting refused to repeat these past comments but acknowledged making them.
• Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated the Labour Party "didn't get it right" with its initial response to the treatment of Gaza.

Britain's new Defence Secretary Wes Streeting stated on Wednesday that Israel has "fallen short" of British standards of conduct in Gaza and the West Bank. Speaking to journalists at the Farnborough International Airshow, Streeting emphasized that as a "friend and ally," Israel should be held to the same standards Britain applies to itself.

Streeting acknowledged making past comments, including in WhatsApp messages to former U.S. ambassador Peter Mandelson, where he described Israel as committing "war crimes" and "rogue state behaviour." However, he declined to repeat these strong criticisms when asked on Wednesday, though he did not retract them. His remarks come amid ongoing debate within the British left regarding Israel's campaign in Gaza following the October 7 Hamas attacks.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who took office recently, has sought to distance his administration from his predecessor Keir Starmer's initial response to the conflict. Burnham previously apologized, stating that Labour "didn't get it right" and that the party's initial response caused "huge hurt."

In his new role, Streeting also avoided committing to a target of spending 3 percent of GDP on defense by 2030, a preference of the new chancellor, John Healey. Streeting indicated he would not pre-empt the chancellor's budget decisions.