Benjamin Netanyahu accused Sir Keir Starmer and other world leaders of siding with Hamas following the murder of two Israeli embassy staff in Washington DC.

The Israeli prime minister said Sir Keir, along with Emmanuel Macron, the French president, and Mark Carney, the Canadian prime minister, were “on the wrong side of humanity”.

In a televised statement addressing the shootings at the Capital Jewish Museum, Mr Netanyahu said that by condemning the war in Gaza, the leaders were supporting “mass murderers, rapists, baby killers, and kidnappers”.

Embassy workers Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim had just left a reception for diplomats on Wednesday night when a stranger armed with a handgun approached them and opened fire.

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The alleged murderer in Washington DC told police “I did it for Gaza” and shouted “free, free Palestine” as he handed himself in.

Mr Netanyahu’s criticism follows a joint statement by the UK, France, and Canada that criticised Israel for expanding its ground operation in Gaza and preventing aid from entering the war-torn strip.

The Israeli leader said Hamas wanted to destroy Israel and that he could “never understand how this simple truth evades the leaders of France, Britain, Canada and others”.

He said: “I say to President Macron, Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Starmer, when mass murderers, rapists, baby killers and kidnappers thank you, you’re on the wrong side of justice.

“You’re on the wrong side of humanity, and you’re on the wrong side of history.”