UK: New opposition leader Badenoch signals strong pro-Israel stance

Newly appointed UK opposition Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has designated Priti Patel as the party’s foreign affairs chief. Patel, known for her unwavering support of the Israeli government, previously faced scrutiny for unauthorized meetings with Israeli officials during her tenure as international development secretary.

Chris Newton, a former defense policy advisor for the Conservative Party, highlighted that Badenoch’s choice of Patel aligns with her commitment to bolstering relations with Israel. Newton anticipates that Badenoch will amplify the party’s support, particularly in light of the Labour government’s recent decision to halt arms export licenses to Israel. “I expect her to criticize the Labour government for dropping the previous Conservative administration’s plans concerning the International Criminal Court’s request for arrest warrants for Israeli leaders,” he noted.

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However, Newton cautioned that Badenoch may face internal dissent, as a faction within the party remains critical of Israel’s actions in the ongoing Gaza conflict. “There’s a minority in the parliamentary party who are highly critical of Israel’s conduct of the war,” he remarked.

The Israeli government has welcomed Badenoch’s leadership, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commending her on social media for upholding the strong UK-Israel partnership. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz also expressed support, declaring Badenoch a “true friend of Israel.”

Badenoch has been vocal about her views on the conflict, recently stating on X, formerly Twitter, that the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was a positive development. She asserted that “Israel defended the peace-loving world in ridding humanity of this evil,” and called for an end to violence and the release of hostages.

The new Conservative leader has also criticized the Labour government for what she describes as weak leadership on Israel, asserting that suspending arms export licenses would only embolden adversaries like Iran. In a prior op-ed for The Sun, she emphasized the strategic advantages of the UK’s security relationship with Israel.

Following her leadership victory, the Conservative Friends of Israel expressed gratitude for Badenoch’s consistent support for Israel and the UK’s Jewish community, emphasizing their commitment to continuing this partnership in future endeavors.