Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel has strongly criticised the Government's approach to Israel, claiming it has "frozen relationships" with Britain's ally whilst failing to support American military action against Iran.
Speaking on GB News, Patel said: "We need a British Government which actually leverages its diplomatic clout in the world when it comes to standing alongside our allies."
She condemned the Government for spending "more time talking tough to the Israeli Government rather than actually supporting a lot of the work that helps to keep our country safe."
The shadow foreign secretary also criticised the Government's silence on recent US strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities. "The British Government did not come out to give a view on the US strikes on that Iran nuclear facility, that is not right at all," she stated.
Priti Patel slammed the Government's response to the outbreak of war
GB NEWS
Patel emphasised the importance of security cooperation between Britain and Israel, noting that "we share a lot of security and intelligence materials between our two countries."
Her comments come as the Government organises chartered flights to evacuate British nationals from Israel following escalating tensions in the region. The Foreign Office has advised against all travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
- POLL OF THE DAY: Is regime change the only solution in Iran? VOTE NOW
- Iran breaks ceasefire deal just hours after striking pact with Israel to end missile assault
- Palestine Action supporters descend on London and clash with police as protest ban imposed
The US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which Patel referenced, occurred overnight on Monday.
She argued that degrading Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities was essential for British security.
Priti Patel joined Eamonn Holmes and Ellie Costello on GB News
GB NEWS
"It's the same ballistic missiles they are supporting Putin with his support on Ukraine. It hurts us in Europe and hurts us here," Patel stated.
The Government's approach to the Middle East conflict has included using anti-terrorism laws to ban Palestine Action following damage to military aircraft at RAF Brize Norton last week.
Two activists broke into the Oxfordshire base, spraying red paint into Voyager aircraft engines and attacking them with crowbars.
The group said the paint "symbolising Palestinian bloodshed was also sprayed across the runway and a Palestine flag was left on the scene."
Iran fired missiles at the Al-Uleid military base in Qatar yesterday REUTERSPrime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the incident as "disgraceful" vandalism. The ban will make membership of Palestine Action a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Police clashed with Palestine Action supporters in Trafalgar Square on Monday during a solidarity demonstration, with protesters chanting "let them go" as officers attempted to detain someone.
Patel warned that Iranian threats to Britain were a daily reality, stating: "We have Iranian spies in our country, Iranian dissidents in our country and they have been acting against our interests."
The former home secretary emphasised her previous focus on national security, saying: "My sole mission as Home Secretary was to keep our country safe."
She argued that Middle East conflicts "affect us every single day in this country," pointing to Britain's threat levels and investments in policing, intelligence and counterterrorism capabilities.
Patel stressed the need for action against Iran's military capabilities, stating: "In terms of protecting us on the streets from Iran, you have to degrade their nuclear ability and ballistic missile capability."
Most Read
