A petition to the UK Parliameent with more than 118,000 signatures said “We are concerned about reported Israeli state-linked and pro-Israel lobbying activity in UK politics. We believe it is important to determine the scope and impact of any such influence campaigns.”
In accordance with this, a “debate” was held on Monday 22 June 2026, which Middle East Eye has branded as “surreal” and which consisted predominantly of members on both sides of the political divide who are also members of pro-Israel groups. Hence any discussion of Israeli government interference in UK politics was branded as “antisemitic” and should have been dismissed
Government minister, James Frith, said “the government do not support a public inquiry solely on pro-Israeli influence”. He went on to say “The UK and Israel have a deep and enduring relationship. Seventy-six years ago, we were rightly proud to recognise the state of Israel. Our commitment to the security of it and its people remains unwavering.”
Challenging him, Adnan Hussain, an Independent MP, said: “Can I ask the minister why so many in this house, including himself, conflate the Jewish faith and Jewish people with the actions of the state of Israel?” adding “The petition does not do that, and that is not what has been said in this house. No matter how uncomfortable it may be for some in this chamber, the state of Israel stands accused of committing genocide in Gaza. Does he agree?”
Frith responded “I do not agree with that.”
Later on, Ayoub Khan, another Independent MP said: “This is not about Jewish communities or Jewish identity, and it is not about denying anyone the right to advocate for Israel, Palestine or any other state. Lobbying is part of our democracy, but when such practices are shrouded in secrecy while shifting huge sums of money, we must ask, are this government truly committed to cleansing our politics of foreign influence, or are they just concerned with blocking the foreign donations they do not get?”
He went on “this year, Labour Friends of Israel, which funded many cabinet members, was reported to the electoral commission over concerns about opaque funding arrangements. “Ministers in this government publicly identify themselves as members of that organisation, yet it is not registered as a members’ association, and therefore avoids the further disclosure requirements that accompany that status. That cannot be right…. Electoral records show that the Israeli ministry of foreign affairs has provided financial support to UK parliamentarians. That must be transparent.”
Tahir Ali, a Labour MP, breaking with his party “position”, pointed out that, as reported in 2017 by Al Jazeera, Israel had been “meddling in our politics”, referring to the attempted “take down” of Conservative MP Alan Duncan for his critique of Israel. The Israeli Ambassador later apologised.
In the end, it was a debate with no real outcome, but with one in four members elected members of Parliament, and half of Prime Minister Starmer’s cabinet in receipt of funds from pro-Israel donors, did we really expect anything different?
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