Conservatives urge government to reverse IDF personnel ban at defence college
Shadow minister James Cartlidge MP writes to defence secretary John Healey
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge has urged the government to reverse the decision to ban IDF personnel from the UK’s Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) from next year.
Writing to Defence Secretary John Healey, the Conservative frontbencher said:”Israel is a definitive ally of the UK, which is effectively at war.
“I’m extremely concerned at the way our world-renowned military educational establishment is being used as a political tool to appease your party’s internal divisions on issues regarding the Middle East.
“I urge you to withdraw this decision as soon as possible”.
The ban does not affect current students and the Ministry of Defence has said that less than five IDF personnel are currently enrolled in UK-based training courses.
The MoD confirmed the move was in response to Israel’s decision to escalate the war in Gaza saying “UK military educational courses have long been open to personnel from a wide range of countries, with all UK military courses emphasising compliance with international humanitarian law
“However, the Israeli Government’s decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza is wrong.
“There must be a diplomatic solution to end this war now, with an immediate ceasefire, the return of the hostages and a surge in humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.”
Conservative MPs and peers, including Suella Braverman and Lord Polak, also wrote to Healey expressing concern over the move which they said “could reduce mutual understanding and dialogue across the board in ways that harm British interests in the long run.”
College alumni Amir Baram, director-general of Israel’s Defence Ministry, had said the move was “discriminatory” in a letter.
The Israeli embassy in London added:”We would urge the Government to reexamine the decision and to uphold the spirit in which the Royal College was founded: to build bridges through dialogue, not to close doors.”
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