Following the Hamas-led attacks on 7 October, the UK has positioned itself as one of closest supporters of Israel and a strong proponent of its right to self-defence. London has sought to coordinate its positions with other like-minded European countries such as Germany, and so-called ‘five eyes’ members like Canada and Australia, who have been similarly supportive of Israel. However, it has looked to the US more than any to guide its policy.
In call with his Israeli counter-part the day after Hamas’s attack, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged to stand unequivocally[1] with Israel against Hamas along with any support required. During his visit to Israel shorty after, Sunak went further:[2] “I am proud to stand here with you in Israel’s darkest hour as your friend, who will stand with you in solidarity, who will stand with your people.”
It took another week before he first mentioned the need for Israel to adhere to international humanitarian law. Here the UK was following the lead of the US, with Sunak quoting[3] President Joe Biden’s oblique warning to Israel that as democracies “we are stronger and more secure when we act according to the rule of law.”
Such concern has been repeated frequently since then in an almost ritualistic manner. But the government does not appear to have meaningful pressed this point in any meaningful way. On the contrary, it has continued to give Israel the benefit of the doubt despite mounting video documentation, preferring to pin the blame[4] for the death of Palestinian civilians on Hamas’s use of “human shields”. Echoing the words of the US and other Western countries, this has given the Israeli military carte balance to escalate violence in Gaza.
Rather than seeking to constrain Israel’s actions, the UK has focussed on securing its acceptance for increasing aid flows to Gaza through Egypt’s Rafah and Israel’s Kerem Shalom border crossing. In doing so, it was once again following the US’ steer. But to date, these efforts have had only limited success given the lack of a ceasefire and Israeli obstructionism – to the evident frustration[5] of the UK which has been increasingly blunt [6]on the need for greater Israeli cooperation.
Despite this, the UK has sought to buy time for Israel to continue its military operations in Gaza by opposing an immediate ceasefire. In a Sunday Times article[7] with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock, the UK’s Foreign Secretary David Cameron wrote that “we do not believe that calling right now for a general and immediate ceasefire, hoping it somehow becomes permanent, is the way forward.”
In coordination with Washington, it has repeatedly abstained from supporting resolutions from the UN Security Council and UN Geneal Assembly calling either for humanitarians pauses or a ceasefire Gaza, on the pretext[8] that these did not “condemn the atrocities Hamas committed.”
At the same time, London has opposed South Africa’s referral of Israel to the ICJ for committing genocide in Gaza, calling[9] the move “wrong and provocative”. It has opposed a second ICJ referral to the ICJ, this time by the UN General Assembly, into the legal consequences of Israel’s prolonged occupation, warning it would undermine the Oslo peace process.
A dissonant international order
Like other western countries, the UK has been roundly criticised for its double standards. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine triggered extensive UK military support for Ukraine, severe sanctions against Russia, and even support for action at the ICC. UK leaders have also cast[10] support for Israel as part of a broader effort to defend a liberal democratic international order represented by Israel against unprovoked Russian-style aggression by Hamas.
Even with the Palestinian body count topping 23,000 in early January, UK Ministers continued to look the other way. Asked by the UK Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee whether Israel was breaking international law by turning off the water supply in Gaza, he replied[11] “I am not a lawyer”.
Ramping up military support for Israel
Some of the most tangible support offered by the UK to Israel has been in the military realm. On 13 October, the UK announced[12] a “significant [military] support package” was being deployed to the region, including RAF surveillance aircraft, 2 Royal Navy ships, and a detachment of Royal Marines. This coincided with the deployment[13] of a second US aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean. The aim was to act as a military deterrent against regional escalation by Iranian-linked groups such Hizbullah and support the emergency evacuation of UK nationals from place such as Lebanon. UK drones have also conducted surveillance flights[14] over Gaza to assist with Israeli efforts to locate and rescue hostages held by Hamas.
Then in December, the UK joined with the US in striking[15] Houthis rebels in Yemen following escalating attacks against international shipping transiting the Red Sea (ostensibly connected to Israel). This came after Houthis drones targeted HMS Diamond which had joined the US-led maritime operation Prosperity Guardian deployed to protect shipping in the Red Sea.
A less visible aspect of the UK’s support for Israel has been the transfer of weapons via the British air force base RAF Akrotiri located in Cyprus. In November, the UK government banned[16] members of the UK parliament from asking questions about activities there. However, independent monitoring revealed[17] over 30 military flights heading to Tel Aviv since the beginning of the war. This reportedly[18] coincided with a spike in military activities at the base which appears to have also become a miliary staging post for the US, Netherlands, Canada and Germany.
Minister of Defence Grant Shapps has said[19] that the UK would provide “only defensive materiel, or materiel that might help with the recovery of hostages”. However, according to an Al Jazeera investigation, “social media posts from Israel’s army show weapons being delivered to the Nevatim airbase while Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport has received equipment including armoured vehicles.” In doing so, the British government appears to have over-ridden[20] serious concerns from the Foreign Office that Israel was violating international humanitarian law which could have blocked the export of UK weapons.
Constraining pro-Palestinian activism, supporting Israeli settlements
Sunak has consistently linked events in Gaza to the safety of the British Jewish community, vowing[21] a zero-tolerance approach to antisemitism. While antisemitism has indeed risen[22], the overwhelming attention of the British government has been on constraining pro-Palestinian activism in the UK.
In October, Home Secretary Suella Braverman described[23] demonstrations calling for a ceasefire in Gaza as “hate marches” and warned that the slogan “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” was an indication of a violent desire to eliminate Israel. This anti-Palestinian frenzy reached its peak in the lead up to national commemorations on 11 November marking the end of the First World War during which the UK government tried to ban the Palestinian flag[24].
Since 2019, successive Conservative governments have vowed[25] to outlaw the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement. While it has so far made no progress towards this goal, it has taken steps to support Israeli settlements.
The centre point of this is the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill[26]. The government has described[27] this as an vital means of protecting[28] “Jewish communities, against campaigns [by the BDS movement] that harm community cohesion and fuel antisemitism”. In reality, the bill which is was passed[29] by the House of Commons in January (although it must still be approved by the House of Lords) would shield[30] Israel’s settlement from divestment by any public body (including universities), conflate[31] occupied Palestinian territory with sovereign Israeli territory, and potentially constrain[32] free speech.
Sanctioning settlers and highlighting Palestinian self-determination
The surprise appointment of David Cameron as foreign secretary in November has led to a limited recalibration of UK policy. This has been most visible in the UK’s growing condemnation of Israeli settler violence and renewed emphasis on the need to advance Palestinian self-determination through a two-state solution.
Noting that the Palestinian people would have to be shown "irreversible progress" towards a two-state solution, Cameron told[33] a gathering of the Conservative Middle East Council, at the end of January, that the UK “with allies, will look at the issue of recognising a Palestinian state”. This announcement was followed by reports[34] the next day that the White House was also looking at the option of recognising a Palestinian state as part of a regional grand bargain to secure Saudi Arabia’s acceptance of a normalisation deal with Israel.
The Foreign Secretary has subsequently explained that recognition would be part of the process, not an end result dependent on the outcome of negotiations as had previously been the case: “I’m saying it’s not at the beginning, but it’s also not at the end. This process would have to provide a credible and irreversible towards a two-state solution and would require change on the Palestinian side, including the formation of a new Palestinian government, Hamas’ leaders to leave Gaza, the dismantling[35] of “the machinery of terrorism.”
Alongside this, the UK has followed the US in imposing sanctions against “4 extremist Israeli settlers who have committed human rights abuses against Palestinian communities in the West Bank.” This came in February after months of growing UK frustration at the Israeli government’s lack of action to curb settler violence which Cameron who has urged[36] Israel take stronger action to put a stop to settler violence: “Too often, we see commitments made and undertakings given, but not followed through.”
The (non) opposition Labour Party
Any difference between the opposition Labour Party and the ruling conservative party has been one of nuance rather than outright policy disagreement -- motivated in large part by desire of its party leader, Keir Starmer, to distance himself from the legacy of his left-wing predecessor Jeremy Corbyn.
Like, the government Keir Starmer’s Labour has repeatedly opposed a ceasefire even as it deplores the abominable[37] death toll in Gaza. It has also supported UK military action against the Houthis in Yemen, opposes[38] the BDS movement, and even suspended an MP for declaring[39] at a rally calling for peaceful liberty between “between the river and the sea.” Starmer, a veteran human rights lawyer, has also dodged[40] questions on whether Israel is breaking international law.
Labour’s position has though been evolving due to the growing frustration amongst the party’s MPs and broader membership (especially in Muslim communities). It appears to also be responding to the government’s own policy shifts. The party has now finally come out in support of a “an immediate humanitarian ceasefire[41].” Labour’s shadow foreign secretary David Lammy has also indicated[42] that a future Labour government could recognise Palestine in conjunction with other partners prior to an Israeli-Palestinian agreement, appearing to follow the lead of the Conservative party.
What next for future UK policy?
Rising Palestinian casualty rates combined with a largely uncooperative Israeli government has led to slow shifts in UK policy towards greater emphasis on Israeli respect for internation law and Palestinian national aspirations. While still opposing an immediate ceasefire, the British government has marginally softened its position by now calling[43] for “an immediate suspension in fighting...leading to a permanent, sustainable ceasefire.”
Future UK policy will continue to be heavily influenced by the thinking of the Biden White House. However, growing UK frustration with the Israeli government could increase momentum towards expanding sanctions against Israeli settlers, and even recognition of the State of Palestine as part of a broader effort to revive an Israeli-Palestinian political track. An Israeli offensive against Rafah, which the UK was warned[44] against, could accelerate this process and even lead to other concrete measures such as suspending[45] arms export licences. While these prospective measures still fall short of the far-reaching actions required to end Israel’s occupation, they may nonetheless represent the beginning of significant, even if belated, move amongst Israel’s allies to finally bring the Gaza war to an end.
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-call-with-prime-minister-netanyahu-of-israel-8-october-2023
[2] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-statement-at-press-conference-with-prime-minister-netanyahu-of-israel-19-october-2023
[3] https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-statement-to-the-house-of-commons-on-the-latest-situation-in-israel-and-gaza-16-october-2023
[4] https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-statement-to-the-house-of-commons-on-the-latest-situation-in-israel-and-gaza-16-october-2023
[5] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretarys-meeting-with-the-prime-minister-of-israel-january-2024
[6] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretarys-meeting-with-the-prime-minister-of-israel-january-2024
[7] https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/why-the-uk-and-germany-back-a-sustainable-ceasefire-article-by-the-foreign-secretary-and-the-german-foreign-minister
[8] https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/we-call-for-further-and-longer-pauses-to-get-aid-to-palestinians-uk-statement-at-the-un-security-council
[9] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/statement-on-the-interim-icj-ruling-in-south-africa-vs-israel
[10] https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pms-speech-at-the-future-resilience-forum-9-october-2023
[11] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-67926799
[12] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-deploys-uk-military-to-eastern-mediterranean-to-support-israel
[13] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/15/gaza-ground-invasion-israel-us-second-carrier-group-hamas
[14] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-military-activity-in-the-eastern-mediterranean
[15] https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/weve-sent-an-unambiguous-message-to-the-houthis-your-attacks-have-to-stop-article-by-the-foreign-secretary
[16] https://www.declassifieduk.org/uk-government-blocks-mp-questions-about-gaza-related-activity-at-its-cyprus-base/
[17] https://www.declassifieduk.org/uk-government-blocks-mp-questions-about-gaza-related-activity-at-its-cyprus-base/
[18] https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/2023-10-31/ty-article-magazine/.premium/osint-third-u-s-naval-group-arrives-in-mideast-countries-prep-to-evacuate-thousands/0000018b-854f-d805-a98f-b5df147e0000?lts=1708250954694
[19] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/15/uk-bases-in-cyprus-protests
[20] https://caat.org.uk/news/revealed-david-cameron-advised-continuing-arms-exports-to-israel-accepting-israel-has-a-different-interpretation-of-its-international-humanitarian-law-obligations/
[21] https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-speech-at-finchley-united-synagogue-9-october-2023
[22] https://www.theguardian.com/news/2024/feb/15/huge-rise-in-antisemitic-abuse-in-uk-since-hamas-attack-says-charity
[23] https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/oct/30/uk-ministers-cobra-meeting-terrorism-threat-israel-hamas-conflict-suella-braverman
[24] https://www.trtworld.com/europe/uk-home-secretary-faces-pushback-after-her-palestinian-flag-comment-15350687
[25] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/17/deeply-damaging-anger-as-boris-johnson-plans-anti-bds-law
[26] https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9822/
[27] https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/58-03/0325/EAPB_IA_15-03-23.pdf
[28] https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/jul/03/mps-vote-to-ban-public-bodies-from-boycotting-israel-and-other-countries
[29] https://www.newarab.com/news/uk-anti-bds-bill-passes-third-reading-following-vote
[30] https://www.amnesty.org.uk/files/2023-06/Amnesty International UK Briefing - Economic Activity of Public Bodies Bill%5B27%5D_1.pdf?VersionId=J3XcaLkQ7I197eyhCM1GwzUTkIfVNEeH
[31] https://www.amnesty.org.uk/files/2023-06/Amnesty International UK Briefing - Economic Activity of Public Bodies Bill%5B27%5D_1.pdf?VersionId=J3XcaLkQ7I197eyhCM1GwzUTkIfVNEeH
[32] https://www.amnesty.org.uk/files/2023-06/Amnesty International UK Briefing - Economic Activity of Public Bodies Bill%5B27%5D_1.pdf?VersionId=J3XcaLkQ7I197eyhCM1GwzUTkIfVNEeH
[33] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-68137220
[34] https://www.axios.com/2024/01/31/palestine-statehood-biden-israel-gaza-war
[35] https://www.politico.eu/article/uks-cameron-warns-fighting-in-gaza-must-stop-right-now/
[36] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-sanctions-extremist-settlers-in-the-west-bank
[37] https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/feb/18/david-lammy-calls-gaza-death-toll-abominable-as-snp-table-ceasefire-vote
[38] https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/lisa-nandy-labour-absolutely-share-the-governments-concern-over-bds/
[39] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/andy-mcdonald-suspended-labour-israel-palestine-b2438609.html
[40] https://labourlist.org/2023/10/keir-starmer-speech-israel-palestine-international-law/
[41] https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/feb/20/labour-calls-for-immediate-humanitarian-ceasefire-in-gaza
[42] https://www.ft.com/content/5640bf36-5a9e-4fc4-8a24-012ef024ba9c
[43] https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/the-uk-is-calling-for-an-immediate-suspension-in-fighting-to-get-aid-in-and-hostages-out-of-gaza-uk-statement-at-the-un-security-council
[44] https://www.reuters.com/world/uks-cameron-israel-should-think-before-further-action-rafah-2024-02-12/
[45] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/21/uk-to-consider-suspending-arms-exports-to-israel-if-rafah-offensive-goes-ahead