"The declaration of Hamas as a terrorist organization was the right decision - difficult and controversial, but it's the right thing to do," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told President Yitzhak Herzog at a rally on Tuesday at his official residence at 10 Downing Street.
Johnson added that "the decision was made in my opinion almost immediately after the horrific event we saw in Israel. A terrible, terrible thing," referring to Sunday's attack in the Old City, in which a terrorist opened fire on civilians and Border Police forces.
The remarks came after Herzog thanked Johnson for the British government's efforts in the fight against terrorism after declaring Hamas, in all its arms, a terrorist organization.
"This is a very important message to terrorist organizations and global radicals trying to undermine the situation in the Middle East," the president said.
Herzog-Johnson meeting: President announces Hamas declaration and warns of Iran's intentions // Photo: Damian Pachter
In the run-up to the resumption of negotiations on March 29 in Vienna between Iran and the powers, Herzog presented Israel's position, noting that "when you enter into negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program, we expect our allies to be as tough as possible, because we do not believe they are acting in good faith."
In response, the British Prime Minister said that "we see a situation where there is never much time", and continued to praise Israel's position at the Glasgow Climate Conference (COP26) - an issue that the President also touched on during his meeting last night with British Crown Prince Prince Earls. "You were great," Johnson said.
Earlier today, President Herzog and his wife Michal met with British Jewish leaders at an event organized by the Jewish Agency and the Israeli Embassy, with the participation of Ambassador Tzipi Hotovli and the Director General of the Jewish Agency, Amira Aharonovich.
