'Israel' threatens to end UK security ties if Palestine recognized
3 Min Read
"Israel" is reportedly contemplating breaking security cooperation with the UK if London recognizes Palestine.
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Destroyed buildings in the Gaza Strip are seen from a Jordanian Air Force C-130 plane during an airdrop of humanitarian aid for Palestinians, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. (AP)
"Israel" is reportedly considering ending its security cooperation with the United Kingdom if London proceeds with recognizing a Palestinian state in September, according to unnamed diplomatic sources cited by The Times.
The warning comes as the UK signals it may formally recognize Palestine if "Israel" fails to agree to a ceasefire that would end its ongoing war on the Gaza Strip.
A diplomatic source told The Times that "London needs to be careful because Bibi [Prime Minister Benjamin 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."
However, experts told The Times that any decision by "Israel" to end its cooperation with the UK would carry serious consequences for both sides, as the Mossad and its British counterpart have a history of cooperation, including the UK's use of Israeli-made military equipment during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, indicating that the fallout could extend beyond diplomacy into defense and intelligence collaboration.
An official from the Israeli embassy in London responded to the reports, criticizing the UK's stance. “This counterproductive move will certainly not contribute to deepening the mutually beneficial relations between Israel and those who advance this ill-faith agenda,” the official said.
UK to recognize Palestine in September if Gaza genocide continues
On July 29, the British government announced that it will formally recognize the State of Palestine in September if "Israel" fails to halt its ongoing genocide in Gaza and refuses to commit to a long-term peace process. The statement, framed as a moral pivot in UK foreign policy, has been met with both optimism and sharp scrutiny, given Britain's longstanding complicity in enabling the very atrocities it now condemns.
A statement from Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office warned that the UK's recognition of Palestine will come ahead of the UN General Assembly should "Israel" fail to act. “We are determined to protect the viability of the two-state solution, and so we will recognise the state of Palestine in September before UNGA unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza and commits to a long-term sustainable peace...” it read.
Yet the UK's rhetorical shift stands in sharp contrast to its material role in the very campaign it now decries. Since late 2023, British Royal Air Force (RAF) surveillance aircraft have conducted over 500 reconnaissance missions over Gaza, gathering data that experts believe was shared with "Israel" for targeting purposes.
Additionally, Israeli warplanes have been cleared to land at UK bases such as RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, directly supporting "Israel's" bombing operations. Despite a partial suspension of arms export licenses, the UK has continued to supply key components used in "Israel's" F-35 fighter jets, aircraft linked to some of the deadliest strikes in Gaza.
