Israel welcomes UK opposition leader Badenoch’s appointment of pro-Israel policy chief

Kemi Badenoch, the newly elected leader of the British opposition Conservative Party has been critical of the British government’s Middle East policy, including its decision to stop some export licenses to Israel.

One day after being elected, Badenoch appointed pro-Israel Priti Patel as her party’s foreign affairs chief. 

Chris Newton, a former defense policy advisor within the Conservative Party, described Patel as a “staunch supporter of Israel,” which he argued was in accordance with the conservative party’s history of strong ties with Israel.

In 2017, Patel was forced to resign from her position as the international development secretary after she held unofficial meetings with Israeli officials without approval from the British government. 

Israeli leaders have congratulated Badenoch and welcomed her appointment of Patel. 

“I am sure she will continue the great tradition of Israeli-British partnership and friendship,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on 𝕏.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz echoed similar sentiments as he described Badenoch as a “true friend of Israel.” 

The Conservative Friends of Israel also welcomed Badenoch’s political victory. 

“Thank you for your staunch support for Israel and the UK’s Jewish community during your time in Government and throughout the leadership contest. We look forward to continuing to work together to promote,” the organization stated on 𝕏. 

In October, Badenoch praised Israel’s elimination of the Hamas terrorist leader Yahya Sinwar. 

“Israel defended the peace-loving world in ridding humanity of this evil. Let us now work for the release of the remaining hostages and an end to the cycle of violence that has plagued the region. Sinwar’s death aids that noble pursuit,” Badenoch wrote on 𝕏.

Newton assessed that the election of Badenoch would “amplify the party’s support for Israel.” 

While admitting that some people within the party are critical of Israel, he assessed that the party’s overall policy would be positive towards the Jewish state. 

“There’s a minority in the parliamentary party who are highly critical of Israel’s conduct of the war, and they will no doubt air their disagreements with Badenoch. But I don’t think this will affect the party’s overall position,” Newton said. 

In September, Badenoch blasted the current British Labour government’s decision to suspend some 30 licenses concerning arms exports to Israel. 

“It is not true that the removal of Israel arms licences was a legal decision. Keir Starmer should not hide behind this fig leaf. It was very much a political decision… I know this, because as Trade Secretary, responsible for arms licences, I saw the legal advice. So why has the decision been made? It’s because Labour are scared…,” Badenoch stated.

She further added that such a political move undermined British national interests in the Middle East and “it will have emboldened Iran.”

In an op-ed in the British news outlet The Sun, Badenoch emphasized that she supports maintaining all military export licenses for Israel despite pressure to end them. 

“When I was Business and Trade Secretary, I made a decision to maintain all existing licenses for arms exports to Israel. We had numerous protests outside my department. On one occasion, the building was stormed,” she wrote.