EXCLUSIVE Israeli PM Netanyahu slams 'misguided' Starmer as he turns his fire on Labour in an exclusive interview with the Mail He says suspending arms licences sent 'horrible message' to Hamas And he warns that the UK is seeing 'shameless anti-Semitism' in its cities By Natalie Lisbona And Andy Jehring Published: 22:05, 18 September 2024 | Updated: 22:56, 18 September 2024 e-mail 10 View comments Benjamin Netanyahu is one of the world’s most controversial elected leaders – a patriot to his supporters and a villain to his enemies. Since Hamas launched its barbaric terrorist attack on October 7 last year, killing perhaps 1,200 people and seizing some 255 hostages in the worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust, ‘Bibi’ has faced widespread criticism at home and abroad for the unflinching nature of his response – even as Israel fights an existential battle for its own survival. Some critics have accused him of committing ‘genocide’ in the Gaza Strip, following the terror group’s claims that 40,000 Palestinians have been killed during the IDF’s operations there.
Other opponents insist that he is failing to do enough to secure the release of the 101 remaining hostages – while still others argue he is dragging out the war to save his own political skin. The 74-year-old is currently on trial for bribery and fraud and even has a potential arrest warrant looming over him for ‘ war crimes ’. Presenting himself as a tough wartime leader, his domestic enemies insi.