UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said he expects cooperation between British and Israeli intelligence services to continue, particularly on countering threats from Iran. The statement came amid Israel’s diplomatic response to British trade restrictions concerning illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
As The National reports, Miliband described Israel’s response as regrettable and damaging, but said it should not stop London from countering settlement expansion. According to him, the United Kingdom has important intelligence and security ties with Israel.
Israel’s response measures
Israel gave 30 days for the closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem. The Israeli side also removed British personnel from the Gaza support centre, ended British training for Palestinian Authority security forces, and barred 12 members of the UK Parliament from entering the country.
Earlier, Miliband accused Israel of ethnic cleansing in the occupied West Bank. He said settlement expansion threatens the possibility of creating a future Palestinian state. According to the publication, 12 countries supported the restrictions on trade with settlements.
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Risks to security cooperation
Representatives of the British Conservative Party warned that the sanctions could affect intelligence sharing between London and Israel and weaken efforts to counter activities that, in their words, are directed by Tehran. Security sources told The National that information sharing between Mossad and British intelligence services had already been significantly reduced after the United Kingdom recognised a Palestinian state last year.
Miliband, who is also responsible for MI6, said London would work with Israeli partners on threats from Iran. He drew attention to new British sanctions targeting Iran’s nuclear programme and Tehran’s hostile activities.
Britain’s Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis criticised the sanctions, calling them a dark day for British Jews. According to him, such steps could encourage those who spread hatred towards Jews.
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