Iran’s position on Israel is “utterly malign,” and continues to threaten the country’s safety “through support for terrorism,” according to Labour MP Joan Ryan.
Speaking during a Westminster Hall debate on Iran’s influence in the Middle East, Ms Ryan said that by funding Hizbollah terrorists, Iran aimed to establish “a second front in southern Syria with which to threaten Israel”.
The MP, who is chair of Labour Friends of Israel, added that the international deal with Iran designed to curtail its development of nuclear weapons had “done nothing to satisfy Iran’s appetite to establish regional hegemony in the Middle East.”
She said one of the great flaws of the deal was a “European and US willingness to overlook Iran’s destabilising influence, its support for terrorism and its appalling human rights record.”
Ms Ryan also pointed out Iran has a history of calling for the destruction of the Jewish state.
She called on British and European leaders to stand up for Israel and raise concerns about Iran’s funding of terrorism and its human rights record.
Matthew Offord, the Conservative MP for Hendon who called the debate, said: “One of my primary concerns about the nuclear deal is that it would allow terror to be funded in the Middle East regions. It appears to be happening.”
Louise Ellman, the Jewish MP for Liverpool Riverside, said Iran “has a long record of antisemitism and anti-Zionism”.
She added: “Iran wants to foment conflict not peace. It is an oppressive regime at home and abroad.”
Tobias Ellwood, Minister for the Middle East and Africa, responded by saying the British government would “maintain pressure on Iran to engage more constructively with its neighbours.”
He assured MPs that in conversations the government held with Iran, “we do talk about the rights of minorities, and women and raise sanctions”.
The debate on Wednesday was originally scheduled to take place earlier this month, but was postponed after a tube strike prevented Mr Offord from attending.
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