Israel mulling halt to security ties with UK if it recognizes Palestine — report

Israel is weighing ceasing security cooperation with the United Kingdom if it recognizes a Palestinian state in September, unnamed diplomatic sources tell The Times. 

The UK said it will recognize Palestine if Israel does not agree to a ceasefire ending the ongoing war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

“London needs to be careful because Bibi [Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu] and his ministers have cards they could play too. Israel values its partnership with the UK but recent decisions mean it is coming under pressure and the UK has a lot to lose if Israel’s government decides to take steps in response,” a diplomatic source says.

Experts tell The Times that such a move would have serious consequences for both countries. According to the report, the Mossad spy agency passed intelligence to its British counterparts to stop an Iranian-linked terrorist plot at the Israeli embassy in London earlier this year.

Additionally, the report notes Britain’s use of Israeli military equipment in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“This counterproductive move will certainly not contribute to deepening the mutually beneficial relations between Israel and those who advance this ill-faith agenda,” an Israeli embassy official told The Times, referring to the potential recognition of Palestine by London.