British media: Israel may cut UK security ties if Starmer recognises Palestine

Israel is reportedly considering withdrawing defence and security cooperation with the United Kingdom if Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer proceeds with recognising Palestine.

Diplomatic sources told The Times that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s government is assessing this option alongside others, as Britain prepares to formally recognise Palestine next month.

The potential move could have significant implications for national security and economic ties between the two countries.

An official warned that countries considering diplomatic recognition should “carefully consider” the consequences.

Another source added: “London needs to be careful because Bibi [Netanyahu] and his ministers have cards they could play too. Israel values its partnership with the UK, but recent decisions mean it is coming under pressure, and the UK has a lot to lose if Israel’s government decides to take steps in response.”

Israel’s reaction to Starmer’s plan has been strong. Officials accused him of awarding Hamas a “prize for terror” by recognising Palestine outside a negotiated peace process and before the release of remaining hostages.

Starmer has stated that Britain will proceed unless Israel increases humanitarian aid to Gaza, halts annexations in the West Bank, agrees to a ceasefire, and commits to a long-term peace agreement.

On August 7, Netanyahu reiterated his intention to take control of all Gaza but said he did “not want to keep it,” while convening a security cabinet meeting to discuss a full military takeover.

Withdrawing defence and security cooperation would carry serious consequences for both nations, experts warned. Over recent years, Israeli intelligence has provided critical information to British agencies on Iranian-backed threats within the UK, considered as serious as those from Russia.

Mossad’s intelligence reportedly helped foil an alleged Iranian-linked terrorist plot targeting the Israeli embassy in London, leading to major counterterrorism raids and arrests. The UK has also relied on Israeli-made drones for surveillance in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Israeli defence technology is credited with saving British soldiers’ lives in those conflicts.

Defence ties run deep: Israeli companies supply weapons systems, components, and software to British firms like BAE Systems. Israeli firms form a significant part of the UK defence supply chain, contributing to a trading partnership valued at £6 billion (over $ 8 billion) and supporting 38,000 jobs.

However, members of Israel’s government are divided. Some caution that cutting ties would harm Israel’s economy and end British military assistance to the RAF for flights over Gaza to locate missing hostages. British assets in the region are also reportedly being shared with Israeli forces for real-time intelligence on hostage movements.

Experts believe Israel is unlikely to sever defence cooperation given the importance of intelligence sharing and economic interests, viewing the threat more as leverage to influence UK policy on Palestinian statehood.

A British government spokesperson said: “We do not comment on anonymous speculation about intelligence matters.”

The Israeli embassy in London declined to comment on intelligence cooperation but said recognising Palestine would “certainly not contribute to deepening the mutually beneficial relations between Israel and those who advance this ill-fated agenda.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev