During a forthright visit to Israel, Dame Priti Patel didn’t mince her words.
She accused Sir Keir Starmer of putting the UK’s security and global credibility on the line in what she described as an effort to safeguard his own political standing.
Her message: Britain cannot afford political games when national safety is at stake.
Concerns About Rising Anti-Semitism
Patel, clearly alarmed, said anti-Semitism has surged back to levels reminiscent of the Labour Party’s Corbyn-era controversies.
According to her, Jewish communities across the country no longer feel secure — a situation she called both shameful and deeply dangerous.
Her remarks came shortly after Starmer publicly vowed to keep British Jews “in my mind’s eye” and address what he called a persistent cultural problem around anti-Jewish hatred.
Patel, however, argued that the issue demands far more than statements.
Intelligence Ties With Israel “Not Negotiable”
Speaking with the Daily Mail during her three-day trip, Patel insisted that Labour’s current stance is undermining essential intelligence links with Israel — a long-standing ally she believes Britain cannot afford to alienate.
Security coordination, she said, “can never, ever be broken or undermined,” yet she accused Labour of edging in exactly that direction by prioritising internal party pressures over national interests.
A Strained Partnership With Global Consequences
Patel pointed to the freeze on arms export licences during Israel’s war with Hamas, followed by Labour’s move to recognise a Palestinian state, as events that have caused a notable chill in UK–Israel relations.
Critics have echoed her concerns, arguing that Britain’s influence has eroded and that Israel is beginning to see the UK as less of a strategic partner.
According to Patel, Britain and Israel face “common threats,” and any breakdown in cooperation could have direct repercussions for the safety of the British public.
A Harsh Rebuke for London’s Mayor
Patel also turned her criticism toward City Hall, accusing Mayor Sadiq Khan of allowing repeated anti-Israel marches to spiral out of control.
She said the demonstrations — which have taken over London weekends for months — have damaged the city’s reputation and left Jewish residents feeling exposed.
“He’s facilitated them and allowed them to grow,” she argued, adding that London now appears far less safe and welcoming to Jewish families and visitors.
The Football Row That Became a National Embarrassment
She was equally scathing about local authorities’ decision to bar Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from attending their match against Aston Villa.
Patel called it a humiliation for the country, especially given reports that West Midlands Police used inaccurate information when arguing for the ban.
To her, this was yet another example of what she sees as Labour’s willingness to placate activist voices rather than uphold fundamental principles of fairness and safety.
Anxiety After a Deadly Attack
All of this, Patel warned, is unfolding at a moment of heightened fear.
The recent terror attack on a Manchester synagogue — which left two people dead — has shaken Jewish communities nationwide.
She believes Britain should be reinforcing its alliances, not weakening them, especially when threats are growing rather than receding.
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