Israeli Envoy in UK: ‘One minister does not speak for the whole government’

Israel’s most senior diplomatic representative in the UK has openly distanced herself from the actions of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir after he published footage showing Israeli security forces abusing international activists.

Delivering a speech at the Embassy of Israel’s 78th Independence Day event in central London, Chargé d’Affaires Daniela Ekstein was applauded when she told attendees: “And with regards to events today in Israel, let me be very clear.

“As both Prime Minister Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Sa’ar have stated, that the unacceptable, harmful conduct of one of our Ministers, is not representative of our government’s policy.

“It is not the face of Israel.”

Several hundred people attended Wednesday evening’s event, including former Prime Minister Liz Truss; Labour MPs Jon Pearce and Damien Egan; former Tory cabinet minister Stephen Crabb; and communal leaders including Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and Rabbi’s Charley Baginsky and Josh Levy, as well as the acting president of the Board of Deputies Adrian Cohen and chief executive Michael Wegier.

Rabbi Mirvis later said of Ben-Gvir’s actions:”I have rarely seen the Jewish world so united in revulsion than in its response to this shameful display.

“Such conduct is the very antithesis of our core Jewish values and an awful Chillul Hashem.”

Ekstein’s speech included a detailed account of the relentless campaign of hostility faced by Israel and emphasised the need to confront rising antisemitism as a “moral” rather than a “political” crisis. However, it was her criticism of Ben-Gvir that stood out.

She noted that antisemitism had “regrettably become part of everyday reality across the UK” and stressed the need to “confront it directly without excuses… that responsibility rests above all with those in positions of power.” Ekstein added: “It must not be treated as a political issue, but as a moral one.”

Far-right minister Ben-Gvir sparked a diplomatic crisis by publishing footage of Israeli security forces abusing international activists, with three activists reportedly taken to hospital as a result of the violence, according to lawyers representing the group. They were subsequently discharged.

The global outrage over the activists’ treatment prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to condemn Ben-Gvir within hours of the video’s publication. “The way that Minister Ben-Gvir dealt with the flotilla activists is not in line with Israel’s values and norms,” Netanyahu said.

In a speech delivered via video, UK Security Minister Dan Jarvis highlighted the “deep rooted” relationship with Israel, adding: “My political party, Labour, has long been an advocate of the Jewish state.”

He continued: “Together we share a commitment to robust democratic governance, rule of law, and judicial independence… and an unwavering dedication to defending our open societies against security threats.”

Others at the event included Toby Davis, vice-chair of the Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel group and Saul Taylor, president of the United Synagogue.