Bombay Durpun - UK's Sunak stresses democratic values' in talks with Netanyahu

Netanyahu landed in London after weeks of escalating protests in Israel over his government's judicial reform programme, which would increase politicians' power over the courts and critics argue is a threat to democracy.

While some of Israel's allies abroad, including the leaders in the United States and Germany, have raised concerns about the controversial overhaul, the UK has remained silent on the subject.

Sunak "stressed the importance of upholding the democratic values that underpin our relationship, including in the proposed judicial reforms in Israel", a Downing Street spokesperson said in a summary of the two leaders' meeting.

Hundreds of protesters, many holding Israeli flags and placards critical of Netanyahu, rallied outside the gates to the street to heckle his arrival.

Some shouted "shame" in Hebrew as Sunak greeted the country's veteran leader at the door of 10 Downing Street.

They erected the letters of the word "democracy" on nearby Whitehall, while wielding signs accusing Netanyahu of dragging Israel towards "dictatorship".

"It's important to be here because maybe at some point they won't have the right to protest in Israel," Dana Drori, a mother-of-two in her 30s, told AFP at the protest, alongside her young daughters.

"It's anger, it's sadness," she said of her emotions. "It's just hard to believe it's becoming a dictatorship."

In a televised address hours before departing for London, Netanyahu pledged to restore unity within his increasingly fractured country, but gave little away about how he would do that while still pursuing the reforms.

- 'Solidarity' -

The UK government has released few details about Netanyahu's two-day visit.

It comes days after the two countries signed a wide-ranging "2030 roadmap" agreement, which London said "will drive our bilateral relationship forward" as it looks to strike a post-Brexit free trade deal.

During their meeting, the two leaders discussed "the UK and Israel's significant concern about Iran's destabilising activity" and the risk of "nuclear proliferation" posed by its atomic programme, Downing Street said.

They also talked about the war in Ukraine and developments in the Middle East, its statement noted.

Sunak "expressed his solidarity with Israel in the face of terrorist attacks in recent months" while noting unspecified actions risked "undermining efforts" towards a two-state solution with the Palestinians, it added.

"He encouraged all efforts to de-escalate, particularly ahead of the upcoming religious holidays."

Netanyahu is also set to meet hardline interior minister Suella Braverman -- who has herself faced stinging criticism over controversial UK plans to deter asylum-seekers -- to discuss countering global terrorism.

"As Palestinians from the diaspora we see ourselves at the front line of the fight for a free Palestine and when Netanyahu comes to visit in our backyard, we have to protest it," said one 24-year-old protester, who gave her name only as Yasmine.

F.Mahajan--BD