Report: Johnson government could ‘deepen and enhance’ UK-Israel security ties
New BICOM study suggests the large Conservative majority will improve bilateral relations, as Britain 'seeks to redefine its foreign policy and security strategy'
Boris Johnson’s huge Conservative victory in last month’s general election could lead to a deeper security relationship between the UK and Israel, according to a Middle East think-tank.
The Tories’ 80-seat majority, coupled with Labour’s worst performance since 1935, spelled good news for bilateral UK-Israel relations, according to a report published on Tuesday from the Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre (BICOM).
Successive British prime ministers have been committed to Israel’s security but the prospect of Jeremy Corbyn in Downing Street would have caused angst and gloom among those convinced that the two countries should continue working together.
“The large Conservative victory in the December 2019 election, combined with Britain’s departure from the EU, could serve to deepen and enhance the Britain-Israel security partnership as Britain seeks to redefine its foreign policy and security strategy while strengthening relations with allies outside of Europe,” said BICOM.
Labour’s manifesto promised to suspend the sale of arms to Israel “used in violation of the rights of Palestinian civilians”. It also promised to “reform the international rules-based order to secure justice and accountability for breaches of human rights and international law, such as the illegal blockade of Gaza”.
However BICOM suggested that UK arms exports to Israel accounted for only one percent of Israel’s military imports, whereas Israel was the third largest arms supplier to the UK, in particular selling its drone technology.
The think tank published its latest report on the eve of Prince Charles’s official visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories, and warned that the legal designation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights could be “an area of increasing diplomatic divergence between Israel and the UK”.
Benjamin Netanyahu has said he intends to apply Israeli sovereignty over Jewish settlements in the West Bank settlements, with Donald Trump likely to support it, but the UK has remained “firmly committed to its traditional policy positions”.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
