The new Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron will visit Israel next week to show that Britain’s support for the Jewish state in its war against Hamas remains unchanged following the cabinet reshuffle, the JC has learnt.
Jerusalem is likely to be the first foreign capital the former prime minister visits following his unexpected return to frontline politics.
Israeli sources say he is seen there as a friend.
However, he will be told in unmistakeable terms that Israel must “finish the job” of erasing the terror group and will not contemplate any ceasefire while Hamas retains any military capability, nor before all of its hostages have been released.
Government sources insist that despite the sacking of Suella Braverman as home secretary in this week’s reshuffle, it regards protecting Britain’s Jewish community from the surge in antisemitism following the October 7 atrocities as a top priority.
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Prime Minister David Cameron addresses the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, on the first day of a two day visit to Israel. (Alamy)
The JC understands that on his first day in office, Braverman’s replacement, the former foreign secretary James Cleverly, told staff that he was determined to ensure that all British citizens, Jews included, must be “able to go about their daily lives in safety and security”.
One friend of the new home secretary said: “He has consistently defended Israel’s right to self-defence and is clear that intimidation and antisemitism at home cannot be allowed to threaten the day-to-day security and safety of our Jewish community. And in his new role he wants to make certain it does not.”
Having served as a member of the Greater London Assembly before he became an MP, Cleverly worked closely with the Community Security Trust.
CST staff say he continues to have an “excellent” relationship with the security group.
He also visited both the Israeli embassy immediately after the October 7 atrocities and, days later, went to Israel, where officials say he understood the true enormity of the Hamas attacks.
Since being appointed home secretary on Monday, Cleverly has opened what are described as “cordial and professional” discussions with Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley on ways to strengthen the policing of future anti-Israel protests.
Cleverly’s talks with the police follow last week’s London march, which was attended by 300,000.
Although this saw more than 120 arrests, most of those heard chanting slogans calling for Israel’s destruction and seen wearing Hamas-style headbands and carrying antisemitic placards were left alone by police.
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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (Photo: House of Commons)
Speaking in the Commons on Wednesday, Sunak hinted that the time may be drawing closer when Britain will proscribe Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps as a terrorist organisation.
In answer to a question from former Brexit secretary David Davis, he said it was a “longstanding policy” not to comment if adding an entity to the list of proscribed organisations was being considered.
Under Cleverly, the Foreign Office was said to be opposed to the move, although Braverman and security minister Tom Tugendhat were in favour.
At the time of going to press, several Labour frontbenchers — including Naz Shah, Helen Hayes and Afzal Khan — had said they would defy Sir Keir Starmer over his call for a long humanitarian pause in the conflict as opposed to a ceasefire.
Shah, MP for Bradford West and Hayes, MP for Dulwich and West Norwood pledged to vote for an SNP amendment to the King’s Speech backing a ceasefire.
Imran Hussain, who served as shadow minister, resigned in protest at the Labour leader’s stance last week.
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