British Opposition Leader Accuses Israel of Serving as UK Proxy in Gaza Conflict

In a Sunday interview with Sky News, Badenoch sparked controversy with her remarks.

In a recent inquiry regarding her stance on Benjamin Netanyahu’s rhetoric, the leader of the Conservative Party stated, “I’m not here to judge the language used by the Prime Minister of Israel. Israel is engaging in a proxy conflict on behalf of the UK, much like Ukraine is for Western Europe in its opposition to Russia. We must approach this with seriousness.”

She declined to denounce Israel’s activities in Gaza, asserting that these actions do not constitute genocide.

Badenoch stated that Israel is currently engaged in warfare and emphasized that monitoring the specific methods of their actions is not her role. She also refuted claims labeling the situation as a genocide.

Following a joint statement issued by France, Britain, and Canada, a call was made for Israel to end the “intolerable” human suffering in Gaza. These nations cautioned that if Israel continues its military offensive and maintains restrictions on humanitarian aid, they would be compelled to take “further concrete actions” as a response.

The United Kingdom government announced the suspension of its free trade negotiations with Israel on Tuesday, following a recent statement.

Sky News’ Trevor Phillips posed a challenge to the British politician, suggesting, “This morning it appears that you’re not offering any criticism of Israeli actions.”

She asserted that the statement was false, adding that although she has voiced criticism in the past, there are currently 58 hostages who remain unreturned.

In light of a recent report, Kemi Badenoch’s comments emerge amid ongoing allegations that the United Kingdom continues to export arms and equipment, such as parts for F-35 fighter jets, to the occupying Tel Aviv regime, despite a government-imposed suspension coming into effect in September 2024.

According to a report published by three campaign organizations, components for the jet, which has played a significant role in Israel’s aggressive military operations in Gaza, seemingly reached the Israeli-occupied territories as recently as March.

According to an investigation based on Israeli customs records, the United Kingdom has dispatched 8,630 munitions items to the occupied territories since the suspension period.

The weaponry is classified under an import category that includes “bombs, grenades, torpedoes, mines, missiles, and similar munitions of war, as well as their components.”

The report indicates that the majority of the shipments took place following the government’s suspension of arms deliveries.

At least 53,939 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, have lost their lives, with an additional 122,797 people sustaining injuries, in the severe Israeli military attacks on Gaza since October 7, 2023.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for both Netanyahu and former military affairs minister Yoav Gallant. The charges against them include alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza region.

Israel is currently confronting a genocide case at the International Court of Justice concerning its military actions in the embattled coastal region.