Leaked documents show that Benjamin Netanyahu’s government ran a covert operation to prevent the UK from supporting trade boycotts against Israel, Declassified UK has uncovered.
The secret campaign came to light after leaked files exposed a high-level meeting in 2015 between Israeli officials and then-UK Justice Secretary Michael Gove. The discussions, described as “sensitive,” focused on countering the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, which opposes products made on illegally occupied Palestinian territories.
Behind-the-Scenes Lobbying to Combat BDS
The meeting was part of a broader Israeli strategy to thwart BDS efforts, which included attempts to reduce funding for UK-based charities and seeking advice from top-tier law firms. Shortly after the meeting, Israel prepared a detailed briefing for Gove on the potential implications of EU labelling guidelines. These guidelines mandated clear labeling of products from Israeli settlements, which pro-Palestinian activists often target for boycotts.
Israel’s Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, a key figure in the campaign, wrote to Gove, arguing that the labeling guidelines were politically motivated and aimed at pressuring Israel. Shaked urged Gove to oppose the EU’s labeling measures, which she claimed were being driven by BDS groups and could lead to increased activism against Israel.
Targeting UK Funding for NGOs
During the same meeting, Shaked raised concerns about UK government funding for certain non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that Israel believed were fueling anti-Israel sentiment. A leaked Israeli memo noted that UK-funded NGOs were involved in BDS campaigns and frequently accused Israel of human rights violations, including apartheid and ethnic cleansing.
Israel urged the UK to conduct an independent review of its funding for these organizations, which included prominent NGOs like Christian Aid and Islamic Relief Worldwide. However, it remains unclear whether these lobbying efforts succeeded in cutting off funding to these groups.
Ongoing Efforts to Block Boycott Campaigns
Israel’s attempts to combat BDS didn’t stop there. In 2019, the Israeli government sought legal advice on countering a United Nations database that listed companies doing business in Israeli settlements, which are considered illegal under international law. Several UK companies were named, including JCB, a prominent manufacturer.
Israel’s strategy included leveraging UK lobby groups like Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI) and Labour Friends of Israel (LFI) to influence British policy and challenge the UN database. Despite opposing the UN’s findings, the UK government has long maintained that Israeli settlements violate international law.
Israeli Influence on UK Policy – A Cause for Concern?
The revelations have sparked fresh concerns over Israeli influence on UK policy. Palestine Solidarity Campaign director Ben Jamal commented, “The use of groups like LFI and CFI to shape UK policy in favor of Israel, despite its human rights abuses, raises serious questions about British democracy.”
Michael Gove, a staunch supporter of Israel, has long pushed for policies that protect Israeli interests in the UK. His 2023 attempt to introduce a bill banning public bodies from boycotting Israel, although unsuccessful, further highlights the ongoing close ties between the two governments.
The leaked files, published by a group called “Anonymous for Justice,” show just how far Israel has gone to shield itself from international scrutiny, particularly regarding its treatment of Palestinian territories.
