Israel is reportedly weighing a dramatic response that could include ending military and intelligence collaboration with the United Kingdom, if Prime Minister Keir Starmer follows through with his pledge to recognize a Palestinian state. The Times reported on Thursday that such a move could significantly disrupt longstanding security and economic links between the two nations.
According to the report, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reviewing a number of options, including a possible diplomatic rift with London, should the UK formally acknowledge “Palestine” in the near future. “Countries pursuing such recognition should carefully consider the consequences,” one Israeli official warned.
Officials familiar with internal discussions say Israel still sees its alliance with the UK as strategically important, but the potential move by Britain to recognize a Palestinian state has created deep tensions. “London needs to be careful because Bibi [Netanyahu] and his ministers have cards they could play too,” a source close to the government said. “Israel has a lot to lose if it decides to take steps in response.”
Starmer recently revealed that his government intends to recognize a Palestinian state during the United Nations General Assembly in September, contingent on whether the humanitarian situation in Gaza improves by that time.
His announcement followed a similar declaration by French President Emmanuel Macron, who also signaled his country’s readiness to grant recognition to “Palestine.”
The Israeli leadership responded angrily to Starmer’s statement, arguing that such recognition rewards Hamas’s violent tactics. Officials accused the UK prime minister of granting a “prize for terror” by pushing recognition outside of a negotiated peace framework and before Israeli captives are freed.
As reported by The Times, the defense relationship between the UK and Israel has been especially important in countering Iranian proxy threats. Israeli intelligence has been instrumental in disrupting plots, including a foiled plan to target the Israeli embassy in London. Britain has also benefited from Israeli drone technology during missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Israeli-manufactured systems have enhanced the safety of British troops in those regions.
Israeli defense firms supply key technologies used in British military platforms, and the broader defense partnership is estimated to be worth £6 billion, supporting employment in both countries. Despite this, there is internal debate within Israel’s government about whether to end the cooperation. Some officials have cautioned that doing so could damage Israel’s economy and jeopardize vital British support—especially in the ongoing search for Israeli hostages.
When asked about the report, a spokesperson for the UK government said, “We do not comment on anonymous speculation about intelligence matters.”
{Matzav.com}
