Patel praises Netanyahu after ‘great meeting’ on Israel visit
Shadow foreign secretary says 'Israel is a beacon of democracy and freedom in the Middle East'
Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel has met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for discussions designed to portray the Conservative Party as a friend and ally of the Jewish state.
Photographed alongside the Israeli PM, Patel wrote on X:”A great meeting with my friend Benjamin Netanyahu and a discussion about how we must stand together to fight for the freedoms and values our countries are founded on.
“Israel is a beacon of democracy and freedom in the Middle East and our friend and ally. ”
In a follow-up video posted on social media, Patel, a strong supporter of the Conservative Friends of Israel organisation, stressed the long-standing history of information sharing between the UK and Israel, especially in security, defense, and trade, adding, “It’s in Britain’s interests to strengthen this relationship.”
Meeting with survivors, hostages, and their families from the October 7 attack during her visit, Patel also said:”Since these horrific terrorist attacks, Israel has seen prolonged attacks from Iranian-backed Hamas-Hezbollah and the Houthis.
“These are groups that oppose the values that we hold, democracy, freedom, and the right to expression.
“Their actions have brought immense suffering to countless people.
“We hope the 20-point police plan will lay the foundations for sustained peace in the region.
“But of course, this can only work if allies, including the United Kingdom, come together to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza, to eliminate Hamas, and to tackle the ongoing threats from Iran to deliver much-needed peace and stability.”
The senior Tory also met with other ministers on her visit. “I have been engaging with political leaders in Israel about how the peace plan can be implemented and the role and the contribution the United Kingdom could and should be making. With so much at stake now, more than ever, we must keep pushing for peace,” she added.
In 2017, when it government Patel resigned as UK international development secretary amid controversy over her unauthorised meetings with Israeli officials.
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