What David Lammy’s Middle East visit says about Labour’s foreign policy plans

Good morning. A few months before the election, David Lammy outlined his vision for Britain’s role on the international stage under a Labour government: “progressive realism”, or “the pursuit of ideals without delusions about what is achievable”. Just over a week into his tenure as foreign secretary, we have our first concrete indications of how he intends to operate those principles in practice.

On a visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories over the last couple of days, his first international trip as foreign secretary, Lammy says he is sending a clear message: “We need an immediate ceasefire, the immediate release of all hostages, the protection of civilians, unfettered access to aid in Gaza and a pathway towards a two-state solution”.

But the image of the new foreign secretary shaking Benjamin Netanyahu’s hand in the aftermath of two attacks on the Gaza Strip that killed at least 120 people – many of them civilians taking refuge in a camp for displaced people – has caused considerable anger. The question that follows: is Lammy taking a risk with the left in order to better promote a peaceful resolution? Or is his supposed break with the Conservatives’ foreign policy more a matter of rhetoric than action?

Today’s newsletter, with Olivia O’Sullivan, director of the UK in the World Programme at Chatham House, explains what we already know about Lammy’s approach to the conflict in Gaza, and what is still to be revealed. Here are the headlines.

Five big stories

In depth: ‘It’s important to focus on whether there is a shift in action, not just rhetoric’

David Lammy’s meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu was only one component of his trip to Israel – but in the context of the immense pressure that has been put on Labour from the left over its policy on Gaza, it is likely to be an indelible one. It’s also true that Lammy has sought to signal a break with the Conservatives by emphasising the need for an “immediate ceasefire”, language that is meant to sound stronger than his predecessor David Cameron’s promise of “diplomatic leadership to reach a sustainable ceasefire”.

If that sounds like a distinction without a difference to the casual listener, it will have to be accompanied by more substantive measures to be credible. “In many ways, Labour’s language in opposition was quite similar to the then government’s,” Olivia O’Sullivan said. “It’s important to focus on whether there is a shift in action, not just in emphasis or rhetoric.”

What message is Lammy seeking to send with this visit?

As well as Netanyahu, Lammy has met with Israeli president Isaac Herzog, and Palestinian Authority prime minister Mohammad Mustafa. He also saw family members of hostages being held in Gaza who have ties to the UK and Palestinians living in the West Bank who have been affected by Israeli settler violence. He said that “the loss of life over the last few months … is horrendous” and “has to stop”. And he said he would press Israeli leaders over conducting the war according to international humanitarian law, and on access for British aid trucks to Gaza.

“I’m sure they think about how the image with Netanyahu looks to people,” O’Sullivan said. “But Lammy and others around Labour have emphasised that their approach is dealing with the interlocutor you have, not the one you wish to have.”

How does that fit into Labour’s broader foreign policy?

Lammy has said he views his “progressive realism” doctrine as an approach for a “newly dangerous and divided era” that stands in contrast to “the reckless and gaffe-prone diplomacy of Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak”. In this Guardian piece, he adds that it means “recognising that the UK’s success depends on hard-headed realism about our own nation and the continent’s security, not a nostalgic misremembering of what we used to be.” (For a sceptical take on this approach, see this essay by international relations theorist Seán Molloy.)

“Lammy has signalled that his foreign policy will involve engaging with countries with whom we don’t agree on everything to achieve results,” O’Sullivan said. (Indeed, he also wrote: “We must shake the hands of those we need for peace.”)

“Labour often splits, in broad terms, between people who do not want to engage diplomatically or otherwise with countries with whom we do not share values, and people who don’t see that as a way to have influence in the world. The Middle East is really the first test of Lammy’s approach and whether it will be accepted.”

Has pressure from pro-Gaza voters made any difference?

One part of the backdrop to Lammy’s visit, and Labour’s policy on Gaza more generally, is the election of five independent candidates backed by The Muslim Vote (TMV), a campaign group opposed to Labour’s approach over Gaza. TMV-backed candidates secured a strong showing or second place finishes in other constituencies as well. Labour’s vote fell by an average of 11% in seats where more than 10% of the population are Muslim. (For more on the appeal of these independent candidates, see this excellent Prospect analysis by Imaan Irfan.)

“Of course they are concerned about that,” O’Sullivan said. “And this is a longer-term concern with a broad base of their support. But they have a very secure majority, and they are obviously a very long way from the next election. So I’m loath to say that this one electoral cycle will direct policy.”

On the other hand, she added, “the UK tends to prioritise aligning with the US’s position on this and other issues – that is sometimes less of a priority for other European countries.” A “progressive realist” approach, she added, might mean “thinking about how this will affect our wider relations with states that are critical to any solution to the crisis – the US in particular.”

How might Labour’s policy differ from the Conservatives?

So early in Lammy’s tenure, much of this remains hypothetical. O’Sullivan points to three key areas that could indicate a direction of travel: funding for the Palestinian relief works agency Unrwa, the question of whether UK arms sales to Israel will continue, and whether the Conservative government’s objection to prospective ICC warrants for the arrest of Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials will be maintained.

“Lammy has indicated he will have something to say about Unrwa in the coming days,” O’Sullivan said. Barbara Woodward, the UK’s envoy to the UN, has said Lammy is “closely considering” whether to restore funding – a move that would be in line with most countries that withdrew it over Israeli allegations that it had been infiltrated by Hamas, allegations that have not been substantiated. Lammy urged the government to restore funding in April.

Last month, Lammy said the UK would comply with an ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu. But yesterday the Israeli newspaper Maariv reported that Lammy had given assurances to Israel that the UK would maintain the last government’s objection to the ICC’s application for warrants, echoing Patrick Wintour’s report for the Guardian last week. The human rights barrister Geoffrey Robinson meanwhile warned that Washington is putting pressure on the UK to lodge the objection, which he called a “legal nonsense”, writing: “The US is not a member of the ICC, and expects the UK to look after its interests there.”

On arms exports, “Labour called for the publication of legal advice given to the government,” O’Sullivan said. “So will they do that themselves? It isn’t clear yet what they’re going to do there.” In May, Lammy said that if a Rafah offensive went ahead, the UK should suspend sales of weapons that could be used to prosecute it.

Will anything Lammy does influence Israel’s conduct in Gaza?

“We should be cautious of overstating the role that the UK government is going to have,” O’Sullivan said. “But that doesn’t mean there isn’t influence. The UK has longstanding relationships with the Gulf states, and it can play a role in supporting shuttle diplomacy or convening discussions – supporting the progress of any proposal that involves the whole region. But it will only be part of the puzzle.”

Working to bring key regional actors together would be consistent with the last government’s approach, she added. “They could also appoint an envoy to the Middle East – someone who is the point person, and pushes for more consistent and focused engagement.”

Above all, the question is how hard Lammy will push Israel if he feels that the UK’s relationship with the US could be threatened. “We should not fail to recognise that the US will remain the UK’s most essential ally, whoever occupies the White House,” he wrote. “Pursuing ideals will be futile, without first guaranteeing our own security.” It is very early days – but exactly what that means in practice may soon start to become clear.

What else we’ve been reading

• ICYMI: Much of Gaza’s medical facilities and hospitals have been destroyed during the war. Kaamil Ahmed spoke with Yasmeen Khuwaiter, who gave birth to triplets while living in a tent, about her experiences of motherhood in a war zone. Nimo

• “We immediately became comedy soulmates:” TV’s People Just Do Nothing gets the How We Made treatment, courtesy of its stars Allan “Seapa” Mustafa and Steve Stamp. Hannah J Davies, deputy editor, newsletters

• From Brat’s party anthems to Kendrick Lamar’s scathing diss track, Guardian writers have defended their respective songs of the summer. Nimo

• From East Kilbride to Camborne in Cornwall, if you’re looking for somewhere a little off the beaten track for your next UK break, check out the latest instalment of Guardian Travel’s Where tourists seldom tread series. Hannah

• Some of those who have been calling for Joe Biden to step aside have been met with furious accusations of treachery and betrayal. After watching this political car crash unfold, Mehdi Hasan asks whether the Democratic party is descending into a “Maga-like cult in front of our eyes”. Nimo

Sport

Football | Eddie Howe, Graham Potter and Thomas Tuchel will be near the top of the Football Association’s ­shortlist if Gareth Southgate steps down as England manager.

Rugby | Senior rugby league officials are considering reviving the Great Britain brand to replace England for next year’s tour of Australia to try to provide international rugby league with a much-needed boost. But there are almost certainly no Welsh, Scottish or Irish players who would be called into a Lions squad.

Formula One | The former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has come out as gay, becoming the most high-profile driver in the sport’s history to do so. Schumacher, brother of the seven-time world champion Michael, made the announcement on social media.

The front pages

The Guardian’s headline focuses on the continued aftermath of the Donald Trump assassination attempt, with “Trump hits out at ‘witch-hunts’ despite pledge to unite nation”. The Times looks at the impact of the shooting on the US presidential election saying “Trump races ahead in key states after shooting”. In the Daily Telegraph, the headline is about the former US president’s choice of JD Vance as vice-president with “Trump’s pick for VP is ‘hillbilly’ senator”.

The Financial Times focuses on a win for the former president with “Trump handed legal victory as judge dismisses classified documents case”. The i takes a more domestic line, saying “Starmer and Trump start building their new ‘special relationship’”. The paper reports the PM insisted on calling Trump in the wake of the shooting.

Several papers focus on the death of Jay Slater. The Mirror has “Jay: Body found after ‘fall’, and in the Express “Body found in hunt for Jay ‘who fell in accident”. The Sun says “How did Jay cops miss body?” In the Mail, it’s “Now doctors told to lecture us on climate change”, as the paper says the Royal College of Physicians guidelines is asking doctors to warn patients about the dangers to their health.

Today in Focus

Cartoon of the day | Guy Shrubsole

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The Upside

A bit of good news to remind you that the world’s not all bad

As part of the Wildlife Trusts’ 100-year Atlantic rainforest recovery programme, a lost piece of Celtic rainforest in south-west Wales, is to be restored to its ancient glory. Species like oak, small-leaf life and wild service will be planted on the Pembrokeshire site to support an abundance of mosses, liverworts, lichens and ferns. The restoration project will also provide a home for other animals and plant life to create a thriving, diverse ecosystem.

The southern tip will connect to remnants of the Celtic rainforest in the Gwaun valley while in the north it runs on to open moorland. Adam Dawson, a senior conservation officer, hopes that within a few decades the area would look like a natural woodland: “The aim is somebody walking through the site in 30 to 50 years’ time won’t say ‘I wonder who planted this’. People will say ‘what a lovely place’.”

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