Labour Party Foreign Policy in the Middle East

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BICOM Briefing

Labour Party foreign policy in the Middle East – an analysis

November 2017 Key points: Introduction

• The Labour leadership’s approach to • The results of the 2017 general election and international affairs, as with other policy subsequent polling indicate that a Labour areas, is in flux as the radical left agenda government led by Jeremy Corbyn as Prime that has defined Jeremy Corbyn and his Minister is a real possibility. Labour’s supporters meshes with the possibility of potential Middle East policy demands facing the real world challenges that come attention not least because Jeremy Corbyn’s with holding office. long record of positions on Middle East issues, in line with radical left positions • Labour’s positions taken in the 2017 which have shaped his career, give the manifesto, and in Jeremy Corbyn’s speeches potential for a radical shift. But to what and interviews since becoming leader, extent would these ideas shape Labour were more moderate than those to which government policy? he subscribed previously, though would still signal a major realignment, threatening • This paper summarises the Labour leader’s to drive a wedge between Britain and its record on international affairs and the Middle traditional allies – both Israel and Western- East, before analysing statements by him and aligned Arab states. Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry.

• Labour has clearly committed to supporting • Any predictions are of course inherently a two-state solution, but a manifesto pledge uncertain. The possibility of holding office to recognise Palestine would likely be swiftly is forcing Labour’s leadership to focus on fulfilled by a Labour government, boosting the building a winning electoral coalition, and to Palestinians’ campaign for recognition outside consider the difference between opposition the context of an agreement with Israel, whilst rhetoric and the dilemmas that come with having a chilling effect on UK-Israel relations. holding office. In addition, decisions in This could be compounded if the Labour government would be shaped by the specific leader’s calls for increasing international political conditions following an election pressure on Israel were expressed by a shift (e.g. size of majority; portfolio allocations; in its voting patterns in the United Nations, potential coalition partners; balance of power UNESCO, and the UN Human Rights Council and views in cabinet etc.), as well as the to move closer to Palestinian positions. regional situation.

• During a recent visit to Israel Shadow What is Jeremy Corbyn’s record on Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry stressed international affairs and the Middle East? Labour’s commitment to UK-Israel relations and her opposition to BDS, but also said • Jeremy Corbyn has moderated many of his she would personally avoid buying goods positions over the last two years. As the from settlements. Moreover, whereas the prospect of general election victory has Conservatives have worked against local become more realistic, his positions have government boycotts, Labour has said local increasing reflected an interest in broadening councils should set their own policies, his electoral appeal and avoiding a party raising concerns that pro-boycott positions – split. Nonetheless, he assumed the role after which have support on the Labour left – may a 30-year Parliamentary career in which his gain ground under a Labour government. views were consistently articulated.

• The way in which a Labour government • Corbyn comes from Labour’s radical left, might react to major events in the region, and throughout his career was considered such as wars between Israel and Hamas or marginal in the Parliamentary Labour Party Hezbollah, will be just as consequential as (PLP). His approach to international affairs any preordained policy shift. has typically been articulated in relation to

1 specific issues rather than an overarching Israel – as an instance of Apartheid. In ideology. Nonetheless, those positions have the 1980s Corbyn was a supporter of the been consistent with an anti-capitalist, post- Labour Movement Campaign for Palestine colonial and anti-imperial world view which which supported replacing Israel with a tends to see the West, led by the United secular democratic state of Palestine and States, as a malign force which has exploited called “to eradicate Zionism” from “the the developing world or “global south”. Labour Movement”. Corbyn is a patron of The hostility to Western capitalism feeds a the Palestine Solidarity Campaign which “campist” mind-set, which tends to view all is ambiguous about a two-state solution radical forces challenging Western hegemony but which calls for the right of return for as essentially aligned. Palestinian refugees of 1948 and their descendants – interpreted by Israel as a • This approach underpinned positions taken threat to its existence as a Jewish nation by Corbyn in international affairs before state – and which opposes what it terms becoming leader: hostility towards NATO “the apartheid and Zionist nature of the and the European Union; sympathy for those Israeli state”. In a 2015 interview shortly challenging Western hegemony including before being elected Labour leader, Corbyn Russia and Venezuela; sympathy for radical stressed that the “right to return” of even armed movements considered emancipatory fourth generation Palestinian refugees was or post-colonial (including the IRA); a “key” to solving the conflict. Israel’s security tendency toward pacifism which includes barrier – built to prevent Palestinian terrorists unilateral nuclear disarmament; blanket reaching Israeli population centres after a opposition to Western military interventions wave of suicide bombings in 2001-2 – was including even the 1999 Kosovo intervention; described by Corbyn as “an absurd piece of and a sense of common cause with Islamist 21st century civil engineering built upon the groups and leaders. principle of apartheid”.1

• Corbyn’s political cooperation with Islamists • Corbyn and some of his leading supporters has included working alongside the Muslim have also tended towards a narrow Brotherhood-aligned Muslim Association view of antisemitism, which sees it as of Britain, and support for radical armed a malaise of the fascist and racist right, groups Hamas and Hezbollah, whom Corbyn without acknowledging the deep roots described as “friends” in a 2009 speech. of antisemitism on the left, and the links From 2011 to 2015 Corbyn chaired the between antisemitism and anti-Zionism. Stop the War Coalition, a campaign group Whilst Corbyn has repeatedly stressed mobilised in response to the US and UK led that he abhors any form of antisemitism, “War on Terror” following 9/11, which serves he has in the past associated with groups as an umbrella to mobilise radical left and and individuals with overtly antisemitic Islamist activists in a sustained anti-Western views. When the revelation of antisemitic and anti-Zionist campaign. The group has views among Labour office holders mired been an important source of organisational the party in controversy after Corbyn’s and campaign backing for Corbyn. election, he commissioned a report to address the challenge and backed rule • Corbyn has a long record of support for changes to strengthen procedures for anti-Zionist positions that frame Israel as expelling members. However, many remain a product of Western imperialism, a racist unconvinced that he has truly grasped the colonial enterprise, and an oppressor of problem, and the failure to permanently expel Palestinian rights. This same conception former mayor of London Ken Livingstone for frames the Palestinians as the archetypal, engaging in Holocaust revisionism is seen as just, anti-colonial, national liberation exemplifying a half-hearted response. movement. This approach regards Israel and its relationship with Arabs – those 1 Dave Rich, The Left’s Jewish Problem: Jeremy Corbyn, Israel in the occupied territories and citizens of and Antisemitism (London: Biteback Publishing, 2016). 2 What policies has Labour proposed and In a speech to Chatham House in May 2017, what would their effects be? Corbyn said Labour would want a “strong and friendly” relationship with the US, • The following summary of Labour policy before criticising the Trump administration’s positions draws on Corbyn’s recent speeches “reckless” and “erratic” foreign policy. He and interviews, the 2017 manifesto, and criticised Theresa May’s “hand holding with comments from other members of Labour’s Donald Trump” and declared that, “Britain front bench, principally Shadow Foreign deserves better than simply outsourcing Secretary Emily Thornberry. Overall these our country’s security and prosperity to reflect a conscious moderation by Corbyn of the whims of the Trump White House.” views he articulated previously, as well as Thornberry described Trump’s reasons for the tension of trying to bridge between the believing the Iran nuclear deal is not working left-wing agenda of Corbyn and his support as “a figment of his fevered brain”. Such base, and the more centrist views of the bulk language no doubt plays into a broad based of the Parliamentary Labour Party, and the distaste for Trump amongst the electorate but wider electorate. would surely undercut the goal of a “strong and friendly” relationship if carried into Cooling relations with US government. Most likely once in government the Labour leadership would be more diplomatic, but how exactly they would seek • Labour appears ready to back away from a to handle relations with the US, and gain “special relationship” with the US. This is influence with the Trump administration is a long-standing pillar of UK foreign policy unclear. aiming to maximise Britain’s own global influence, whilst promoting shared goals including Western strategic interests, global Lukewarm on NATO stability, and liberal political and economic standards. The special relationship is rooted in • Jeremy Corbyn has dropped his former shared culture, language, extensive economic blanket opposition to the NATO alliance – ties, and exceptionally deep and long-standing which is a cornerstone of British defence intelligence and defence cooperation. It policy and the framework for British military has seen Britain broadly align with US involvement in Afghanistan. During the 2017 international policies, especially in the Middle election campaign Thornberry described East, and British prime ministers and their Corbyn as having “gone on a journey,” teams seeking to maximise influence through adding that “there have been a number warm personal ties with US counterparts. This of discussions. It is quite clear that the approach was criticised as excessive in the predominance of opinion within Labour is case of Tony Blair’s relationship with George that we are committed to NATO”. That said, W Bush, and especially his support for the Iraq Corbyn’s commitment to common defence War. Whilst the basis and utility of the special is lukewarm at most. In interviews since relationship have been thrown into doubt by becoming leader he has avoided committing the election of Trump and his “America First” to send British forces to defend a NATO ally agenda, Prime Minister Theresa May has under attack. made conspicuous attempts to establish a rapport, even whilst openly disagreeing with • At Chatham House, Corbyn spoke about the US President Donald Trump on issues such need to “halt the drift towards confrontation as the Iran nuclear deal. Other world leaders, with Russia” and of “winding down tensions including President Macron of France, have on the Russia-NATO border.” In preferring similarly taken the approach of embracing to see a reduced US role in the world, rather than distancing from Trump. ambivalence regarding NATO, and being content to allow Russia a greater role, Corbyn • By contrast, Corbyn and Thornberry have may, ironically, find he has some views in been unreserved in their criticisms of Trump. common with President Trump.

3 Opposition to military intervention in general drawdown of UK military involvement in the Middle East and oppose future interventions. • A Labour government would likely set the Corbyn said in his Chatham House speech: bar for military intervention very – if not “The ‘war on terror’ which has driven these impossibly – high. The Labour leader has interventions has not succeeded. They have sought to avoid being branded a pacifist not increased our security at home – many clarifying in his Chatham House speech: would say just the opposite”. “I accept that military action, under international law and as a genuine last • Corbyn opposed airstrikes against ISIS in the resort, is in some circumstances necessary.” House of Commons in 2015 along with 152 But he defined the choice in the election other Labour MPs. Deputy Party Leader Tom as “between continuing with the failed Watson was the only member of the current policy of continual and devastating military Shadow Cabinet among the 66 Labour MPs interventions, that have intensified conflicts to vote in favour. and increased the terrorist threat … or being willing to step back, learn the lessons of the • Corbyn’s comments since becoming leader past and find new ways to solve and prevent reflect a view which perceives Islamist conflicts”. extremist violence as driven by justified grievances held towards the West and • Labour’s 2017 manifesto also reflected its policies in the Middle East. He told this thinking, declaring that: “We cannot Labour party conference in September seek to solve the world’s problems on our 2017, “terrorism is thriving in a world our own, but instead must exhaust diplomatic governments have helped to shape, with solutions alongside international, regional its failed states, military interventions and and local partners within the framework of occupations.” international law.” • He argues that military interventions • Whilst this agenda reflects Corbyn’s have made things worse by fuelling those own long-standing opposition to military grievances and increasing the motivation intervention, it also taps into a public mood of individuals to attack the West, including of scepticism, which is a lasting legacy of the Britain. Speaking shortly after the May 2017 Iraq War in particular. suicide bombing in Manchester, Corbyn said: “Many experts, including professionals in • Corbyn’s view on drone strikes also indicates our intelligence and security services have movement from the fervent opposition he pointed to the connections between wars our expressed before becoming party leader, government has supported or fought in other when he led anti-drone demonstrations. His countries, such as Libya, and terrorism here current position is much less clear. When at home.” asked if he would order a drone strike in September 2017 he said: “I think we have • In talking about the growth of ISIS he has to look at very carefully the effects on the focussed on its sources of financial and civilian population of any bombing that takes military support, rather than its ideology. In place before a decision takes place. You have an interview with Al Jazeera in July 2017 he to look at all the facts.” said, “ISIS has grown because it’s had money; because it’s had arms; because it’s had space,” Opposition to intervention against Daesh/ISIS adding that his policy to confront it would be, “total isolation of ISIS, at the same time as • With the US-led coalition to destroy ISIS’s promoting a political settlement in Syria”. territorial base now in advanced stages, it is unclear what future role the US-led coalition, • The UK is currently the second largest including the UK, will take. That said, a contributor to the US-led military campaign Labour government would likely pursue a against ISIS. Between September 2014 and

4 September 2017 the RAF flew more than Warming ties with Iran 8,000 sorties providing strikes, surveillance and reconnaissance, air-air refuelling and • A Labour government would likely bring a transport. The UK has 1,400 UK military significant change in tone with respect to personnel deployed, including 600 in Iraq, Iran. Labour’s commitment to maintain the training and supporting local forces. Special Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) forces are also operating in Libya. The – which temporarily curbs Iran’s nuclear coalition fighting ISIS in Syria also includes programme in return for lifting sanctions France, Germany, Canada, Australia and the – is no different from the Conservative Netherlands in a range of strike and combat government. However, the position of the support roles. current government is still that Iran is a threat to the stability of the region. In a Withdrawal from Syria speech to Gulf leaders in December 2016 May declared: “We must also work together • Corbyn said in his Chatham House speech to push back against Iran’s aggressive that, “a vote for Theresa May could be a vote regional actions, whether in Lebanon, Iraq, to escalate the war in Syria, risking military Yemen, Syria or in the Gulf itself.” confrontation with Russia, adding to the suffering of the Syrian people and increasing • This tone is unlikely to be sustained by global insecurity”. He told Al Jazeera that Labour. Corbyn has a very different view of “the only way forward has to be a ceasefire Iran. In the past he has expressed his general that involves Russia, America, involves the opposition to sanctions against Iran, his European Union, involves the neighbouring understanding for the Islamic revolution in states and involves the Syrian regime”. 1979, his sympathies for Hezbollah, and has emphasised the negative historical role of • The extent of Western military commitment imperial Britain in Iran. He was paid up to to the moderate opposition in Syria is £20,000 for appearances on Iranian state-run dictated primarily by the US, which has Press TV between 2009 and 2012, even after shown reluctance under both Presidents it was banned in the UK for broadcasting the Obama and Trump to direct US military forced confession of Newsweek journalist involvement, creating a situation in which Maziar Bahari. He participated in a visit Russia and Iran are the dominant external by a cross party group of MPs to Iran in players. Having helped turn the tide in favour 2014, before becoming leader. Labour of the Syrian regime, Iran and its proxies are under Corbyn has also clashed with Arab now competing with Western-backed forces, ambassadors in the UK who consider Iran including Kurdish forces to gain control of their primary threat. territory vacated by ISIS. The entrenchment of Iran’s position in Syria, close to Israel’s Downgraded relations with Western-orientated border, is increasing the risk of a clash with Arab states Israel. • Labour has clearly signalled it will take a • Given the Trump administration’s cooler approach to relations with Sunni Arab acquiescence to Russian dominance in states. Arab League ambassadors decided Syria, a reduction in UK commitment collectively to cancel their annual reception would not substantially change the existing at the Labour party conference in September situation. But were the US, under the 2017 after the Saudi and Sudanese current or a future administration, to take ambassadors were barred from attending. a more proactive approach to containing In his conference speech Corbyn chose to Russian and Iranian influence – as some in highlight “the cruel Saudi war in Yemen” and Washington are advocating – they can expect “the crushing of democracy in Egypt [and] to receive little support from a British Labour Bahrain”. He declared Labour would “put our government. values at the heart of our foreign policy,” and

5 added that “democracy and human rights aggression. Implementing such a policy has are not an optional extra to be deployed always proved difficult, given the challenge selectively”. in applying rules consistently and the threat posed to British exports of withholding sales. • The Conservative government has followed The current government operates according to the tradition in UK foreign policy of close a list of criteria but ministers make decisions relations with Sunni Arab states. This on a case by case basis. approach builds on historic ties, and is driven by strategic considerations including: • This tension is reflected in Labour’s 2017 the importance of Gulf stability for global oil manifesto. On the one hand Labour commits markets and the global economy; strategic “to support development and innovation” partnership against Islamist extremism; and in the UK’s “world leading” defence sector the importance of the region as a market for and to publish “a Defence Industrial British goods and source of investment. UK Strategy White Paper.” But at the same exports to GCC countries were worth £20bn time it promises to “review all training and in 2015. equipment contracts with repressive regimes, to ensure that Britain never colludes in the • Both May and former Prime Minister David mistreatment of civilians”. The manifesto Cameron visited the Gulf, embraced and also explicitly promises to “immediately supported Gulf leaders, and sought to suspend any further arms sales for use in reassure Gulf states of British support in the conflict [in Yemen],” where a Saudi-led containing Iran. This commitment to Gulf coalition is fighting Iranian-backed rebels, security has included the recent opening of a and is accused of targeting civilians. UK naval station in Bahrain. • During the election campaign Jeremy • It is generally easier to emphasise human Corbyn emphasised in his Chatham House rights concerns in opposition than when in speech (quoting Eisenhower) the dangers government and Labour in government would of “unwarranted influence by the military- likely hear voices of caution from Foreign industrial complex”. Office, defence, and trade establishments who see UK’s relationships with Gulf states • In the period 2007-2016 the Middle East as vital for British economic and security accounted for 59 per cent of Britain’s close interests. to £70bn worth of defence orders, with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman all major • A withdrawal of UK commitment to Gulf importers. BAE Systems, Britain’s largest security may increase the chances of those defence contractor, which manufactures Gulf states seeking warmer ties and defence Eurofighter Typhoon jets, employs 34,600 contracts with other Western powers, but people in the UK, but recently announced also Russia, with whom Saudi Arabia has 2,000 job cuts due to lack of orders. Halting been warming ties against the backdrop of weapons sales to Saudi Arabia would uncertainty about future relations with the US. damage UK standing with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf allies, whilst also reducing the Restricting arms sales to the Gulf appeal of Britain as a defence supplier, likely damaging sales and causing job losses. • The thorny issue of arms sales similarly exposes the tension between interests and Pro-Palestinian alignment values in foreign policy. When Labour came to power in 1997, then-Foreign Secretary Robin • Under Corbyn’s leadership Labour Cook emphasised an “ethical dimension” has remained within the national and to foreign policy, including more stringency international consensus on a two-state on exporting arms to regimes that might solution, in contrast to the more fervent use them in internal repression or external position of those on Labour’s radical left

6 who reject Israel’s legitimacy. Corbyn practice. The Labour manifesto pledge himself has shown movement on the issue. to “immediately recognise the state of When addressing a Labour Friends of Israel Palestine” (adopted under Ed Miliband’s reception at Labour party conference in leadership) would likely be swiftly fulfilled, 2015 he was berated for failing even to say as a relatively easy but symbolically the word “Israel”. But when addressing the significant delivery of a manifesto pledge same event in 2016 he was more conciliatory popular with the party base. The extension saying: “I’m genuinely glad to be here today of recognition to Palestine by international to come together to campaign for a two-state organisations and some states in recent solution for both Israelis and Palestinians.” years has bolstered the international legal In a pre-election interview with Jeremy dimension of the Palestinian Authority’s Paxman in 2017 he said that whilst he (PA) campaign for sovereignty on territory thought Hamas should be part of peace captured by Israel in 1967. It has also talks he did not agree with them, and he afforded the PA new opportunities to acknowledged a peace rally that had recently confront Israel in international forums and been held in Tel Aviv. the International Criminal Court. The move would likely be welcomed with a great • Similarly, Thornberry said in a Commons fanfare by the Palestinian Authority and debate in 2017 that “we want to see a involve ceremonial occasions such as the peaceful process of negotiation towards presenting of an ambassador and formal a two-state solution, including an end to accreditation of an embassy. all acts of terrorism towards Israel and an end to all illegal settlements”. In a speech • However, when such recognition has been to the BICOM-Jewish News conference in afforded by others it has had no practical November 2017, she said: “The Balfour impact on the ground. Arguably the main Declaration is so important, because it effect of UK recognition would be to enshrines the existence of the Jewish State, position the UK as one of the most pro- and the rights of its people as a formal Palestinian states in Europe, with associated principle of our foreign policy, and that will consequences for UK-Israel relations. The never, ever change.” only West European state to have extended full recognition to the State of Palestine • That said, Corbyn remains firmly committed was Sweden in 2014. Doing so would drive to a Palestinian narrative on the conflict, and a wedge between the UK and Israel, and does not follow the convention of balancing potentially the US also. It would likely trigger his criticisms of Israel with parallel criticisms Israeli diplomatic reprisals, including the of Palestinian incitement or violence. recall of the UK’s ambassador to Israel for He told the 2017 Labour conference that consultations (as was the case with Sweden) Labour should “give real support to end the and a general cooling of diplomatic relations. oppression of the Palestinian people, the 50-year occupation and illegal settlement • With Britain withdrawing from the EU, it expansion”. On the centenary of the Balfour will have greater scope to act independently Declaration he called for “recognising on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, but less Palestine as a step towards a genuine two- influence on EU members, though other state solution” and “increasing international states which have been considering pressure for an end to the 50-year occupation recognition of Palestine, notably Ireland, of the Palestinian territories, illegal could be inspired to follow suit. settlement expansion and the blockade of Gaza”. • The shift to an overtly pro-Palestinian position would also likely be reflected in other ways, • It is unclear to what extent a British Labour such as greater support for Palestinian government might pursue international diplomatic initiatives in UN fora to condemn pressure and what it would amount to in and isolate Israel whilst giving support for

7 Palestinian positions. It is not clear that cooperation; cultural, people-to-people objections recently raised publicly by British and Jewish community ties promoted officials to the disproportionate focus on and reinforced by pro-Israel activism; Israel in the UN Human Rights Council institutionally embedded cooperation, would be sustained under Labour. Voting especially in areas of security and patterns could shift in other arenas such as intelligence; and engagement led by the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Conservative politicians and parts of Organisation (UNESCO). In recent votes on the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) sensitive resolutions which ignore Judaism’s sympathetic to Israel. connection with Holy Sites, the UK has voted in support of Israel, alongside the US, • In terms of financial support for the Germany, the Netherlands and others. Under Palestinians Britain is already a significant Labour Britain could conceivably switch to donor, with the Department for International abstaining (as has France) or even voting with Development’s Palestinian programme worth the Palestinians (as has Sweden). Though nearly £70m in 2016-7. There are no specific opposition to all Israeli settlement building indications from Shadow Development as illegal in international law is long-standing Secretary Kate Osamor as to whether this British policy, declarative policy condemning would increase or shift focus under Labour. settlements and other Israeli policies relating to the occupation would likely escalate. What other potential policies towards Israel may emerge from Labour? • Overall, a British shift to an overtly pro- Palestinian position would undo past UK Engagement with Hamas and Hezbollah attempts to position itself as a balanced third party trusted by both sides, and would likely • A Labour government may drop the current lead Israel to try and freeze the UK out from policy of non-engagement with Hamas and any diplomatic involvement. Hezbollah. In an interview with Jeremy Paxman in May 2017 Corbyn addressed • During a recent visit to Israel Thornberry was concerns that he had described these groups keen to stress that UK-Israel relations would as “friends” by saying that he was speaking remain strong under Labour and to play down about “the need for dialogue between Israel differences between Labour’s position and the and all aspects of Palestine, including Hamas current government. However, there is clearly as well as including Fatah,” and added, “I the risk of a broader ‘chilling effect’ on UK- think to bring about a peace process, that is Israel relations. The perception of a negative important”. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are attitude of the Prime Minister and his circle to armed and supported by Iran and committed Israel would likely have a ripple effect through to Israel’s destruction, but both are now Whitehall, with Israel no longer being seen as involved in power sharing arrangements, a priority for UK engagement. The two-way within the PA and Lebanese government traffic of ministerial visits would likely slow. respectively. This atmosphere could negatively impact years of government support for cooperation • British diplomatic contact with both these in research, hi-tech and trade built up under a groups is not unprecedented. There were succession of Prime Ministers warm towards low level contacts with Hamas officials prior Israel. The change of atmosphere could also to 2006, when the Quartet (US, Russia, lead to reduced Israeli investment in the UK, EU and UN) set conditions on diplomatic currently Israel’s top investment destination in engagement with Hamas including Europe. recognition of Israel. Various MPs have met Hamas representatives since then. Regarding • That said, there would be factors pushing Hezbollah, David Miliband as Foreign in the other direction, such as commercial Secretary in the last Labour government and private sector drivers for continued publicly announced the UK was dropping

8 its non-contact policy in 2009. However, • Were Labour to impose an arms boycott it such contacts have always been sensitive, would be of limited practical effect on Israeli and official engagement, when permitted, security capabilities. Since the UK refused has been kept at a low level. In the past, to sell arms to Israel between 1982 and 1994, diplomatic contacts with Hamas have been and tightened up export licences during the opposed not only by Israel and the US, but Second Intifada, Israel purchases relatively by their secular Palestinian rivals in Fatah. A little UK defence equipment, and the UK has public outreach to either Hamas or Hezbollah actually acquired far more from Israel, for would certainly garner a very negative example UAVs. reaction from Israel. • However, such steps would position the Boycotting Israel UK as the only state with diplomatic relations with Israel to back any form • In an interview with Times of Israel in of boycott. Whilst the EU has moved to November 2017, Thornberry expressed ensure Israeli imports from the occupied her opposition to BDS and even said she territories do not benefit from EU-Israel would “buy Israeli goods, positively,” but trade agreements, and followed the UK’s stressed that she personally would avoid leads in issuing guidance that settlement buying goods from settlements because goods be labelled as such, no European she would not “want to be encouraging the power has backed a boycott of settlement breach of international law”. Whereas the goods. The effect on UK-Israel diplomatic Conservatives have actively worked against relations and government sponsored boycotts in local government, Labour is cooperation in trade, hi-tech industries and opposed to this on the basis that local research would be very damaging. The UK councils should have the right to set their would find itself subject to the harshest own policies. condemnations from Israelis across the board and government to government • Many on the Labour left are pushing for a contacts would be strained. tougher policy, including an arms boycott and a clear policy of support for boycotting How might a Corbyn-led government Israeli produce from settlements. Were respond to Middle East challenges? resolutions for such policies to reach the floor of a Labour conference, which could • Much of foreign policy is reactive and the happen before the next election, they would effects of a Corbyn-led government would likely pass. Such measures have not yet be felt when the UK responds to events. The reached the conference floor out a desire to UK government would be more likely to back avoid a divisive split, since some members Palestinian diplomatic moves such as UN of the PLP would be opposed, and because resolutions critical of Israel and attempts opponents of boycotts controlled Labour’s to secure recognition in international Conference Arrangements Committee (which institutions. The UK would also be likely to rules which motions can be debated) until immediately condemn Israel in a situation of this year, though they are now in a minority. escalated conflict such as fighting between Israel and Hamas or Hezbollah, in contrast • It is not clear how rhetorical support for to previous Conservative and Labour boycotting settlements would translate to governments that supported Israel’s right to concrete action in government. In any case, self-defence. settlement produce account for a very small percentage of Israeli exports. Nonetheless, • However, it is important to stress that the situation raises concerns for a slippery such questions, as well as many others slope in which pro-boycott positions discussed above, would be subject to internal in general gain ground under a Labour deliberations among cabinet colleagues and government. within government ministries, which may

9 be influenced by wider political factors and considerations, as well as the specifics of what is happening in the Middle East.

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This briefing was produced by BICOM’s research team.

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