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Israel and Britain: A firm friendship

May 14, 2015 10:57

During last summer’s Gaza war, David Cameron stood firm in his support of Israel’s right to defend itself from terror. And that was despite being in coalition with the LibDems, whose then leader, Nick Clegg, and Vince Cable both raced to join the anti-Israel bandwagon. Now, of course, Mr Cameron is governing on his own. And we know from his interview with this newspaper two weeks ago just how deeply he understands Israel’s cause. It is no wonder that some Israelis now suggest that Mr Cameron — and thus the UK — is now their greatest ally . Look around, and only Stephen Harper of Canada and Tony Abbott in Australia have the same instinctive grasp of the issues. A few years ago, it would have been inconceivable to have written about Israel’s greatest allies and not placed the US far above every other country. Seven years ago, to be precise — when President Obama took office. Under his administration, relations with Israel are now far worse even than under the first George Bush. Yes, the British government has its criticisms of Israel under Mr Netanyahu, not least over the settlements. But not only is trade now at record levels and the hi-tech collaboration championed by our departing ambassador, Matthew Gould, expanding all the time, it should also be a matter of considerable pride that the Israelis see Great Britain as such a firm friend.

May 14, 2015 10:57

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