ALBAWABA — After stating that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is "not welcome" in the British capital and demanding that the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrant be enforced should the Israeli leader visit, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has sparked a political debate in the United Kingdom.
In an interview with Channel 4 News, Khan emphasized that British authorities must enforce the law if Netanyahu visits the UK and stated that those accused of genocide should face prosecution. He said that "people who commit genocide are not welcome in London."
Khan's comments are made while the ICC's November 2024 arrest order for Netanyahu is still in effect. The Israeli prime minister is accused by the court of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the Gaza conflict; Israel has continuously refuted these accusations.
Israeli officials and a number of Jewish organizations in Britain immediately retaliated against the remarks. The Israeli Embassy in the UK claimed that Khan's comments could incite hatred and division and accused him of spreading what it called "false genocide claims." Instead of getting involved in foreign policy matters, the embassy advised the mayor of London to concentrate on fostering communal cohesion and fighting antisemitism.
Khan's statement was also denounced by the Jewish Leadership Council, which called it reckless and warned that it would widen gaps between London's communities. Other detractors questioned Khan's description of the Gaza fighting as well as the validity of the ICC arrest order.
At the same time, public figures, attorneys, and activists endorsed Khan's remarks as a demand for accountability under international law. While some saw his remarks as one of the strongest statements made by a senior Labour Party figure regarding the war in Gaza, others contended that his position places more scrutiny on governments that continue to provide military or diplomatic support to Israel.
Khan's changing position on the conflict has also been highlighted by the controversy. He has frequently demanded a ceasefire, more humanitarian relief, and an examination of British weaponry supplies to Israel since the start of the conflict. But in a May 2025 interview, Khan refused to characterize the Gaza situation as genocide, arguing that international tribunals should make that conclusion. Thus, some observers have perceived his most recent comments as a significant change in tone.
