Why Britain must deepen its defence ties with Israel - The Jewish Chronicle

I will never forget walking through the remains of Kibbutz Be’eri, where Hamas slaughtered entire families on October 7. The air was thick with the unbearable silence of a place where life had been so brutally extinguished. Bullet holes scarred the walls, homes lay in ruins, and the sheer devastation was overwhelming. But that silence was not unbroken. Periodically, the sky above us would erupt as an incoming missile from Gaza was intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome system, a chilling reminder that the threat had not passed.

That visit, alongside my meetings with Israeli and British security forces – some of which, for obvious reasons, I can’t fully disclose – reinforced what should be obvious: the UK and Israel must deepen our defence ties. This isn’t just about moral solidarity; it is about making Britain safer in an increasingly dangerous world.

An Unprecedented Partnership

As Defence Secretary at the time of the October 7 atrocity, I ensured that the Conservative government provided Israel with all the support we could offer. British intelligence played a crucial role in efforts to locate and rescue hostages, several of whom were British nationals. This level of cooperation was unprecedented, opening the door to a new era of information sharing and joint operations between our two nations.

The impact of that partnership was made painfully clear when I met the mother of a British hostage in the Tel Aviv Ministry of Defence, alongside my Israeli counterpart. She spoke of the agonising uncertainty, the sleepless nights, the desperate hope that her child would return. Her pain was a stark reminder that terrorism does not recognise borders.

This is precisely why Britain cannot afford to waver in its relationship with Israel.

A Strategic Necessity for Britain

Beyond the emotional and moral imperative, the hard reality is that Britain’s security interests are directly aligned with Israel’s. Iran is becoming more emboldened, funding and arming groups that threaten Western nations, not just in the Middle East but globally. Israel’s intelligence and counterterrorism capabilities are among the best in the world, and closer cooperation allows Britain to benefit from that expertise.

At the same time, America’s role in European defence is becoming less predictable. Whether due to shifting political priorities or strategic recalibrations, the UK must prepare for a future where Washington is not always the steadfast backstop we have relied upon. Strengthening alliances with key partners like Israel is not just advisable—it is essential.

A Clear Contrast in Leadership

When I was Defence Secretary, the UK stood firmly alongside Israel, providing the maximum possible support. We understood that this was not just an Israeli fight but a battle against the forces of terror that threaten all democracies. In contrast, the current Labour government has been far more hesitant. Their approach has lacked clarity, at times seeming to waver under pressure from political factions rather than standing resolutely for Britain’s security interests.

We cannot afford ambiguity when it comes to national security. Deepening defence ties with Israel is not about taking sides in a distant conflict; it is about ensuring that Britain remains protected in an era of rising global threats.

A Future of Closer Cooperation

Our partnership with Israel should not just be maintained – it should be expanded. Increased intelligence-sharing, joint military training, and closer cybersecurity collaboration would all serve to strengthen Britain’s resilience against hostile actors. This is not a time for half-measures or diplomatic hesitancy. It is a time for strategic action.

I saw firsthand the cost of inaction on October 7. I spoke with the families who paid the ultimate price. Britain must ensure that we are never in a position where we look back and realise we could have done more.

The path forward is clear: we must deepen our defence ties with Israel – not just for their security, but for our own.

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