Benjamin Netanyahu is keeping Rishi Sunak waiting for talks despite British fighter jets helping defend Israel from Iran.
The Prime Minister wants to urge his Israeli counterpart to show restraint in the wake of Tehran’s frenzied missile and drone attack.
But Mr Netanyahu has hunkered down and is refusing to take calls from world leaders attempting to influence him as he continues meeting with his war cabinet.
Downing Street denied Mr Sunak, who had expected to speak to the Israeli leader on Monday, had been snubbed or that the UK was being “taken for granted”.
A No 10 spokeswoman said: “We are still discussing scheduling, working out with diaries.”
The spokeswoman rejected the suggestion that the delay was “embarrassing” and made Britain “look weak on the world stage”.
She said: “I don’t think so. I think we saw the UK participate in a coalition over the weekend.
“The Prime Minister has regularly spoken with Netanyahu. It does take time to schedule these with diaries but there was a suggestion earlier this morning that that meant that the UK’s view was not being relayed or we hadn’t had an opportunity to do that.
“That is obviously incorrect. Our position is very clear, it’s the same as the US and we obviously have contact with the Israeli government through many different channels.”
Mr Sunak told MPs on Monday he would speak to Mr Netanyahu “shortly” to express solidarity with Israel “and to discuss how we can prevent further escalation”.
“All sides must show restraint,” the Prime Minister added.
Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron has urged Tel Aviv to be “smart as well as tough” by not escalating the conflict with Iran.
Iran launched a barrage of 350 drones and missiles at Israel on Saturday in retaliation for a strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria earlier this month.
Most were intercepted before they could reach their targets with British jets shooting down a number of attack drones.
Israel has declared the attack “will be met with a response” but it still finalising its response.
Mr Netanyahuissued a statement saying he “deeply appreciates the support of the United States, Britain, France and others in thwarting the Iranian attack against Israel”.
He added: “Directly and through its terror proxies Hamas and others, Iran is conducting a full-scale campaign of aggression that threatens not only Israel but the entire Middle East.
“The international community must continue to stand united in resisting this Iranian aggression, which threatens world peace.”
Lord Cameron said Britain is discussing fresh sanctions on Iran with allies.
The Foreign Secretary said: “We have sanctioned hundreds of people in Iran, we’ve sanctioned the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) in its entirety.
“We will be discussing with the French and others further steps we can take in order to discourage Iran from this behaviour, further sanctions that should be put in place.
“We also need to look at the work we do together at the International Atomic Energy Authority, where we do need to have clear resolutions where Iran is in breach of the promises it’s made. When you look at this region, who is funding Hamas? Who is funding the Houthis? Who is funding Hezbollah? In every case, the answer is Iran.”
The United States is planning to impose new sanctions on Iran “in the coming days”.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said oil exports “remain in focus as a possible area” they could address.
She added: “From this weekend’s attack to the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, Iran’s actions threaten the region’s stability and could cause economic spillovers.”
Former defence secretary Ben Wallace urged the Government to use its defence of Israel as leverage to secure Israeli support for Ukraine.
He said Israel has been “absent” from the list of countries donating weapons and other items to Ukraine, and that he has “pleaded” with the country’s ambassador but been told Israel “didn’t want to upset Russia”.
Mr Wallace said: “We stand by Israel because we share common values, oppose terrorism and respect sovereignty. But if pilots of the RAF are to help protect Israel, then we should expect Israel to help Ukraine with lethal weapons and other assets, because alliances work both ways.”
The former cabinet minister also called for a strong response to Iran’s attack, saying the UK is “weak” in Tehran’s eyes.
He said: “I have learnt, working against Britain’s adversaries, that the only way to deal with a bully is to retaliate.
“The only option when Iran and Russia hit, I have concluded, is to hit back twice as hard and not stop until they get the message.”
