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Herzog receives suspicious package in London

Security officials have assessed in recent weeks that Iran, together with Hamas, may seek to target official Israeli assets abroad.

President Isaac Herzog at his official residence in Jerusalem on May 11, 2025. Photo by Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90.
President Isaac Herzog at his official residence in Jerusalem on May 11, 2025. Photo by Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog received a suspicious package during his visit to London on Thursday.

British and Israeli security personnel handled the suspicious object, the head of state’s office said. No additional information was given.

Since the war with Iran in June, and particularly in recent weeks, Israeli security officials have assessed that Tehran, together with Hamas, may seek to target official Israeli assets abroad, Ynet reported on Thursday.

In response, the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) has deployed what it described as “unique technological capabilities” to enhance protection around Israeli diplomatic missions, delegations and institutions, Ynet said.

The security measures, some of which are being used abroad for the first time, include overt and covert reinforcements carried out in cooperation with local security forces, according to the report.

Herzog and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met at 10 Downing Street in London on Wednesday. Their meeting was only announced on the second day of Herzog’s visit, conducted at the invitation of the Jewish community.

Both men said that it was a tense exchange, with Herzog opposing the U.K. government’s stance on Israel and Starmer slamming the Jewish state over the war against Hamas and Tuesday’s strike on terrorists in Qatar.

Speaking at Chatham House, a London-based think tank, directly after the meeting, Herzog described it as difficult, The Guardian reported.

“It was a meeting between allies, but it was a tough meeting,” he said. “Things were said that were tough and strong, and clearly we can argue, because when allies meet, they can argue. We are both democracies. We both understand the threat from the jihadists.”

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