On a collision course: The new low in Israel-UK relations
Israel has announced that it is considering expelling British representatives from the coordination center in Kiryat Gat, in response to the strict policy of the new British Prime Minister, Andy Burnham. Professor Tal Sadeh from Tel Aviv University explains why economic sanctions on Israel will not have much significance, and what lies behind the deterioration in relations between the two countries.
Relations between Israel and the UK are currently facing a significant downturn. "Both prime ministers, Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel and Andy Burnham in the UK, are managing politics for their base. For Netanyahu, it is critical as he approaches elections, and it is important for him to show his base that he is confronting foreigners and not letting them manage the country in terms of security," explains Professor Tal Sadeh from Tel Aviv University.
Burnham, who recently replaced Keir Starmer, represents the more socialist side of the party. He is appealing to the left-wing wing of the Labour Party, which wants to hear more criticism of Israel regarding settlements and the Gaza Strip.
"One of Burnham's ways to present the difference between himself and Starmer is to criticize Israel," notes the professor.
According to Professor Sadeh, we are not on the path to significant economic sanctions, mainly because trade with the UK is not critical for Israel. Although the UK is the eighth-largest export destination, it accounts for perhaps 3% of total exports.
"The critical sanctions they could impose are related to parts for the F-35. In general, economic sanctions in today's world are very ineffective, because there are many ways to bypass them. The business sector in Israel and the UK will find ways to route trade between them. It is not that it does not matter at all, but it is not something of broad significance to our economy," Sadeh explains.
The change in leadership in the Labour Party reflects a new orientation towards pro-Palestinian voters, not only Muslims but also Britons with left-wing views. From their perspective, the current government in Israel is a right-wing administration unwilling to recognize the rights of the Palestinian people.
"Most of them will say that they are not against Israel. On the contrary, they believe they are supporting Israel and helping it overcome its government. They argue that they are against the current administration and not against Israel, implying that if there were a different government here, the attitude towards Israel would change," the professor concludes.
