Israel is a close friend and ally of the UK, but it is precisely for this reason that we hold her to a high standard. Some actions of the Israeli Government, such as encouraging illegal settlements and threatening annexation of Palestinian territories, are wrong and contrary to international law. I spoke out in Parliament against the annexation plans, not simply because they impacted the Palestinians but because I believed they also harmed Israel’s long term security interests.
The UK played a role in Israel’s founding, we are a major trading partner (signing a trade agreement in 2019) and we have a long-standing defence relationship. None of that is going to change. I know that the Government is committed to Israel as a firm ally, but that does not mean we will not speak out bilaterally or in the UN if we disagree with their policies. We do the same with Palestine and with all other nations.
