Israel-UK intelligence sharing could be harmed after West Bank row

Britain risks reduced access to Israeli intelligence after it imposed an import ban on goods from illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, Middle East insiders believe. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced the sanctions on the mainly agricultural produce from the occupied territory in response to what he said were the unlawful actions of Israeli settlers which in some cases amounted to “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians. The decision – and incendiary language – immediately sparked a major diplomatic row with Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and plunged UK-Israeli relations to their worst level for decades. In retaliation, Israel closed the British consulate in East Jerusalem – the main point of contact between the UK government and Palestinians – banned 12 Labour, Green and independent UK MPs from entering Israel, including Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott, and kicked Britain out of the US-led post-Gaza mission. Decision could cause ‘friction’ for security arrangement But Middle East analysts believe the decision by Andy Burnham and Miliband could also cause “friction” for the UK’s security relationship with Israel, under which the two countries have shared intelligence on threats to their interests in the Middle East and in Britain for years. Although it is not expected that Israel would cut off intelligence links with Britain altogether, it could mean information typically passed directly from Tel Aviv to London being diverted via the US. A regional analyst suggested the flow of information may have already slowed over the past two years since Labour came into office, due to previous policies announced by Sir Keir Starmer’s government on Israel and the war in Gaza. The analyst said: “My assessment is that some of the damage has already been done, over the last couple of years. The intimacy that was once there is not necessarily there any more.” It is understood, however, that the British Government does not believe this intelligence sharing will stop. Officials pointed out that the exchange of information cuts both ways. Impact on efforts to find a two-state solution The closure of the British consulate and the removal of UK personnel from the US-led International Gaza Support Centre will probably have an impact on decades-long British efforts to find a two-state solution for the Middle East. The i Paper understands the British consulate will be instructed to close within seven days. Some staff may be deployed to Tel Aviv although no decisions have been made. The trade ban itself is likely to take six to nine months to implement fully. It is also expected there could be further response from the US administration, after Donald Trump’s ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said before the announcement that the plans showed Burnham’s Government “hates Jews”. The Prime Minister raised the trade ban when he spoke to the US President on Monday evening, but it is not known if Trump warned Burnham not to go ahead with the plans. It is understood that Miliband began building an international coalition for sanctions against West Bank settlers as soon as he was appointed Foreign Secretary in July. France and Canada have joined the UK in imposing a ban on settler produce, as 12 countries in total backed restrictions on trade. In a joint statement from all three countries, Burnham, Emmanuel Macron and Mark Carney said: “A two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is critical for peace, stability and security in the Middle East and beyond. It is a fundamental national interest for the UK, France and Canada to protect and secure this outcome. “Systematic settlement expansion in the West Bank, including the government of Israel’s latest decision to progress the E1 settlement, as well as the dramatic increase in settler violence, pose a direct and urgent threat to that vision for peace.” A separate statement backing a two-state solution from 12 countries said: “Today, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK confirm their intention to introduce national and/or support European restrictions on trade in goods with settlements which are illegal under international law.” Chief Rabbi calls it a ‘dark day’ The UK’s chief rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, said the decision to issue a raft of sanctions against Israel represents a “dark day” for British Jews and will “further embolden” those who use “hatred as a weapon” against the community. Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar said “a hostile Labour government is in office, systematically acting against the state of Israel, and it has left us with no choice but to finally respond to its hostile actions”. He accused Burnham and Miliband of trying to interfere with the Israeli election next month and to pander to the left of the Labour Party ahead of the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, which the Greens are vying to win. Richard Pater, chief executive of Bicom, which fosters links between Britain and Israel, said Miliband’s remarks about ethnic cleansing were “offensive to the Israeli side and certain to further ratchet up the tension. They will do nothing to create a better dialogue that we would like to see”. He added: “It is deeply disappointing that the UK Government has chosen performative actions to suit its own domestic needs over responsible diplomacy, especially during the sensitive period in the lead up to an Israeli election. “The new government policy also weakens the UK’s influence in the region and undermines its ability to serve as an honest broker in any potential peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.” The Green Party of England and Wales, whose five MPs are now all banned from entering Israel, welcomed the sanctions but urged the Government to go further. A Green spokesperson said: “Banning our representatives only strengthens our resolve. The British Government must stand firm and follow these overdue restrictions with a full arms embargo and wide-ranging sanctions.”