During his trip, Lord Cameron will meet Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, with the pair also expected to discuss the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Both the UK and US governments have not ruled out a suspension of arms exports to Israel as they attempt to press for more humanitarian aid trucks to be let into Gaza.
Last week, Israel confirmed that it was behind an “unintentional” missile strike on Gaza in which seven aid workers, including three Britons, were killed.
Lord Cameron wrote in The Sunday Times that the UK’s support for Israel was not “unconditional” and called for more aid to be let into the territory.
However, Oliver Dowden, the Deputy Prime Minister, said people were holding Israel to higher standards than other countries, telling Sky News: “Of course it’s right that we try to hold Israel to high standards, but I just think there’s a bit of relish from some people about the way in which they are pushing this case against Israel.”
Tory MPs have noted that Lord Cameron has at times appeared more willing to publicly press Israel for changes to its actions in Gaza than Rishi Sunak and other Cabinet ministers.
Foreign Office and Downing Street sources have dismissed any suggestion of splits between the Foreign Secretary and Number 10 on the issue of an arms export suspension.
The Government is legally obliged to stop selling arms to a country that is not displaying a commitment to international humanitarian law. A Foreign Office assessment on whether that threshold has been met by Israel’s actions late last year and earlier this year is with Lord Cameron, but he has not yet decided whether a suspension is needed.
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
