Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel explains why the current Labour Government has failed to be a reliable friend of Israel.

Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel writes in CFI’s Informed Magazine (2025/2026 edition):

The Conservative Party’s friendship with Israel is steadfast and strong. Israel is a key ally to the UK and a beacon for freedom and democracy in the Middle East. Our values are shared by our friends in Israel and that’s why we must stand by Israel.

At this year’s Conference we mark with sadness the second anniversary of the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel from Hamas terrorists. That dark day showed the world the brutality and horror that terrorism inflicts and the determination of Iran and the terrorist proxies they back to harm and destroy Israel, kill Jewish people and suppress freedom. We join Israel in continuing to mourn the losses of those who were murdered, express our support for those recovering from horrific injuries and trauma, and call for the return of all hostages still held in Gaza. The barbarism witnessed that day must never be forgotten, and we must continue to support Israel as the rightful homeland for the Jewish people and fight antisemitism in all its guises.

Israel has faced existential threats and we should stand side by side with our Israeli allies as they address the regional and global threats we all face. That’s why we also backed Israel as they have taken steps to diminish the threats Iran’s nuclear programme poses and the terrorism of Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.

While we have stood with our Israeli friends, the Labour Party have decided to abandon Israel. These are very difficult times, but Labour’s decisions have actively undermined the relationship between the UK and Israel – and in doing so damaged our national interest and made it harder for Britain to help chart a course towards peace in the region at the worst possible moment.

From cancelling trade agreement talks to pouring cold water over the 2030 Bilateral Roadmap and suspending arms export licences as Israel buried murdered hostages – all of these things have only served to weaken our ability to influence the course of the current, terrible conflict, and will deprive this country of health, technology and defence benefits.

All the while, Labour’s Memorandum of Understanding with the Palestinian Authority does not even explicitly name issues with antisemitism in school textbooks. Nor was there any reference to the serious need for welfare reform in PA-controlled territory in this document.

And on recognition of a Palestinian state, the asymmetry of demands confounds any logic. The Prime Minister knows that promises to recognise Palestine will not secure lasting peace nor will they ease the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The move is designed to appease his backbenchers. Recognition of a Palestinian state is only meaningful if it is part of a formal peace process and it cannot happen while hostages are still being held in terrorist captivity and while Hamas’ reign of terror continues.

Under the last Conservative Government, we worked with Israel, the USA and our key partners in the region to further the cause of peace in the region, advance the Abraham Accords process, and find pragmatic solutions to the challenges that need addressing. Under Labour, those relationships are weaker and our standing in the world is falling.

While the Labour Government have abdicated their responsibility, Conservatives will continue to defend the national interest and our friendship with Israel. We will continue to remain committed to building closer relations with Israel – advocating for the strengthening of our defence and security cooperation, boosting our bilateral £5bn trading partnership, and increasing collaboration in science, technology, and research.

Standing together, the friendship between Israel and the Conservative Party, is a beacon for freedom, force for good in the world and defender of our shared values.